The Ansu Fati phenomenon: 17 years, five goals and 10 points

Maturing with the heart beating at 180 beats per minute and the brain processing plays at the speed of a supercomputer. That's how phenomenons like Ansu Fati are generated. The Spain U21 international jumped to fame at the start of the season breaking records for his age and at 17 (31-10-2002) continues to grow as a player. The best sign of that is his excellent performance in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Leganes, when he opened the scoring and stood out in a game that until then had been complicated. 

Quique Setien can be satisfied with his pupil. The Barça coach turned to Ansu for a game theoretically easier than Friday's trip to Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan. Leganes shouldn't provide a serious obstacle for Barça at Camp Nou, no matter how much they play to keep things tight, but the win was essential to keep the pressure on Real Madrid, who play Valencia on Thursday. 

The GOAL

With Luis Suarez and Martin Braithwaite on the bench, Leo Messi and Antoine Griezmann took on leadership duties in the first half in attack, but the Argentine and Frenchman didn't have any chances to score in the first 45 minutes; it was Ansu that managed to break the deadlock, just before half time, with Barça's first dangerous shot of the game. 

The youngster's goal paved the way to three points once again. Ansu has now scored five goals and set up one more in his 17 league appearances (735 minutes). And, according to Opta, he's the second-youngest player to reach five goals, only behind another La Masia graduate in Bojan Krkic. 

ALWAYS DECISIVE 

Ansu can also boast that his goals have been decisive and relevant. In the four games that he's scored, his goals have led to 10 points (one draw and three wins).

The first, at El Sadar against Osasuna when he was 16, helped Barça come from behind to get a point. A week later, he opened the scoring against Valencia and assisted the second goal all inside the first five minutes. 

Despite his age, he's been able to cope with the demands when there have been injuries to important players, like Messi, Suarez and Dembele at different times. The return of Messi and Suarez and Ansu's own fitness issues have seen his presence dip at times, but he's not regressed when given chances. 

In January, his two goals against Levante produced a 2-0 win for Barcelona and he was once again the tin opener against Leganes at Camp Nou this week. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

There have also been records in the Champions League. On Dec. 10, 2019, he came on against Inter, scoring the winner to become the youngest goalscorer in the competition's history. 

He's well protected in the dressing room and by the coaching staff, under both Valverde and Setien, because they know how talented he is. They want to manage his development properly. 

Even though the Premier League is constantly calling, everyone is aware that Ansu's natural talent belongs at Camp Nou, the best place for him to express himself and grow. The objective is for him to be one of the best players in the world over the next decade and beyond.   

THE VALUE OF ANSU's GOALS

(Game week · Game · Result · Goal/Assit · Points gained)

Five goals in La Liga 2019/20

• J.03 · Osasuna-Barça · 2-2 · 1-1 (51’) · 1 point
• J.04 · Barça-Valencia  · 5-2 · 1-0 (2’) / 2-0 (7’ As.) · 3 points
• J.22 · Barça-Levante · 2-1 · 1-0 (30’) / 2-0 (32’) · 3 points
• J.29 · Barça-Leganés · 2-0 · 1-0 (42’) · 3 points

One goal in Champions 2019/20

• J.06 · Inter-Barça · 1-2 · 1-2 (86’) · 2 points