Ansu Fati stays optimistic despite lack of minutes

Just turned 20, he made his debut against Japan in the final stretch of the game. In the first 2 matches, he supported his teammates from the bench.

Only 20 years old, although so much has happened to Ansu Fati these last two years that he seems to have spent a lifetime. Only 20 years old and one of the footballers who should star in the next decade of world football.

He overcame the injury that made him undergo surgery four times. Now, Fati is fully prepared to be an important player for Luis Enrique in this phase of the tournament. Now only winning matters.

Ansu is a mature, honest person, with his feet on the ground. He does not forget his origins and the lessons he received from his large family. Therefore, respect and gratitude are part of his life pillars. When the interview is over he says goodbye thanking and smiling. That’s when he looks more than his 20 years, he is a boy and a man at the same time.

What conclusions have you drawn from the loss vs Japan so that it does not happen again?

Now it’s all life or death and the players are focused on that. We will do our best to move on to the next round.

How did it feel to play for Spain in an official match two years later?

Very well. It is an honor every time I play for the national team. I try to give my best and to be able to enjoy this opportunity.

In the end there are many highb

 level players. We all have to be ready because the coach will need all of us and we must be ready.

It was difficult to enter, but when the selection was at its most critical moment, Luis Enrique opted for Ansu Fati. Did that comfort you?

As I said, you have to be prepared because you never know what the coach is going to decide. For the players who have to be on the bench, it is just as important to live the game intensely.  We gave to be ready because you don’t know when the coach is going to call you.

Was it important that he bet on you right at that moment?

Yes of course. For me, the more minutes, the better. What I like is being on the pitch.

Were you ever aware that they could be eliminated?

For my part, the truth is that no, I did not realize it. We knew we had to win and we went for it, although in the we didn’t.

How did you live the moment in which Luis Enrique gave the list?

I was training at the Ciutat Esportiva, watching it on TV. When I heard my last name I was very happy. I was with some colleagues who saw my happiness and with the physios, with whom I was able to celebrate.

When you heard your name, who did you think of?

Especially my family. My parents, my brothers, friends and all the people who love me and surround me. It was a reward for the work he had been doing up to now.

Yes, a reward after a difficult time.

Yes, for everything that happened in the last two years. The truth is that it is the reward for a day-to-day job, trying to improve myself. And now that I’m okay, it’s been a great reward, yes.

Luis Enrique in the rear wheel said that he had doubts until the last moment. How did you take it?

It is the coach who thinks about it. The only thing I know for sure is that I am ready and ready when he needs me.

Did he talk about it later, when you arrived at the concentration?

Yes, the coach gave me his confidence, why he bet on me to come here. And I am grateful to him for this opportunity.

He is a methodical, hard-working and constant footballer. We discovered that he takes advantage of the afternoons to continue training on his own.

It’s something I’ve done my whole life because I try to improve and feel good about myself. And in the afternoons that I have free time I prefer to do certain things that help me and give me good feelings. So I will continue doing it.

A World Cup is a new experience. What are you learning?

Many things. See the competition that exists in everything and the group that we have here, which is incredible. Always trying to help and be a good colleague. However, what I am taking the most from here is knowing how to respect, help others and camaraderie.

Are you watching the other games in the World Cup?

It’s all very even. It will depend on the small details and take care of everything. There is a high level. But I stay with Spain.

They say that Luis Enrique is a great leader.

The way he conveys things to me, he is a very direct guy. He tells you what he thinks and is very demanding with himself and with all the players. That is something I like. I would define him as a direct guy and with the desire to win.

At the level of philosophy, is Luis Enrique very different from Xavi?

I think that each coach has his way of seeing things. Everyone has their way of being, explaining and playing. In the end Luis Enrique and Xavi are different. But because one is training a club and the other a national team. I see it differently.

Now he’s streaming. Does anyone within the group already him Padrique?

To tell you the truth, I don’t follow these things much. The streamings, youtube… I’m a bit away from all this and I have little to say there.

Let’s talk about football, then. Now in the round of 16 it’s Morocco.

They are very strong. At this point, any team can compete with you, everyone is tactically and physically prepared.

We see the competition, with a lot of equality and nobody wins easily. Morocco is where they deserve and will be a great rival. It will be a very tough match.

Spain are the third youngest team, with 20 ‘rookies’. Will that affect the team at this stage of the tournament?

I would say no, because all the young people who are here have the illusion and the desire to compete. We also have older players who give us advice in times of difficulty. I think that the youngsters who are here are ready and wanting to show that we can play.