Ansu Fati turns 18: The 'kid' grows up and will start vs. Alaves on Saturday

On Oct. 31, 2002, Anssumane Fati Vieira was born in Bisáu, the capital of Guinea-Bisáu. No one could imagine that, 18 years later, the little Ansu would be playing for FC Barcelona's first team. But he is. On Saturday night, the day of his 18th birthday, he will start for Barça away against Alaves at Mendizzoroza in La Liga. He's earned his place. On his own. Hard work. Enthusiasm. Words that are repeated every day and have led him to his dream. A dream that started last season and has developed every day since. No one knows what his limit is. What we do know is that he's here to stay. The kid is grown up now and he's done so at the club of his dreams, Futbol Club Barcelona.  

His joy is shared with those close to them. Ansu welcomed SPORT for a report on his birthday. "I am really happy to turn 18 surrounded by my loved ones and at the best club in the world," he said. His family and FC Barcelona are his havens and oasis of happiness. 

Ansu turns 18 where he most likes being. On the football pitch. After a rest against Juventus, Barca coach Ronald Koeman will bring him back into the side on Saturday. Against Alaves, Barça are looking to end a run of three winless games in La Liga. They have seven points from 15 so far after losing to Real Madrid and Getafe and drawing with Sevilla. Prior to that, they had beaten Villarreal and Celta Vigo. In both games, Ansu starred. He's becoming synonymous with goals. The numbers reveal that. At 17, he was the top scorer in La Liga. Four goals in five games. That's not in the reach of many. The chosen few, we could say. And he is. Like it or not, he cannot be treated as just another player. Because he's not. He's a youngster who has everything to mark an era in the world of football. It just depends on him. And he's on the right path. 

KOEMAN'S DEMANDS 

The Dutch coach pays special attention to Ansu. He takes care of him. He protects him. But he's also demanding. Very. In several press conferences, he's sent messages. On Friday, the eve of Ansu's birthday, Koeman said: "Ansu has to keep working hard and keep improving. I was with him yesterday talking about concentration. In that sense, he has to improve. Sometimes he loses the ball because of concentration, not because of talent. He has to be prepared and focused to improve every day." 

And he pressed him again when comparing him with Pedri, another 17-year-old. "Pedri is very concentrated," Koeman added. 

These comments motivate Ansu. When he has a bad game, he looks at his mistakes and tried to correct them. It's his life. Play, analyse, correct and improve. He knows he not done anything yet. If he falls off the path, he will remain one of those eternal promises that never fulfilled their talent. And that's not his intention. He wants to be the best. He works for that. Against Alaves, he will have another chance to show that he deserves to be a starter in the first team at Futbol Club Barcelona.