Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati says unselfishness of team-mates 'makes it easier to score'

Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati insists his record-breaking Champions League strike was down to ‘fantastic team-mates’ and hails Lionel Messi as he ‘continues to learn’ while playing alongside superstar

Ansu Fati insisted his hot-streak in front of goal for Barcelona was only possible because ‘team-mates make it easier’ to score.

The 17-year-old got in on the act in Tuesday’s 5-1 rout of Hungarian side Ferencvaros and in doing so became the first player in history to score two Champions League goals before turning 18.

Fati, who started on the left wing, is now an established first team player and he believes a lot of that has to do with the unselfishness of his team-mates. 

Ansu Fati (left) was full of praise for his Barcelona team-mates after a crushing 5-1 victory

Ansu Fati (left) was full of praise for his Barcelona team-mates after a crushing 5-1 victory

Fati, 17, became the first player ever to reach two Champions League goals before turning 18

Fati, 17, became the first player ever to reach two Champions League goals before turning 18

‘My team-mates make it easier for me to score. It is a fantastic pass from De Jong and I just had to finish,’ Fati said after the 5-1 win.

‘This was a good victory, it is important to start well and carry this momentum on.

‘It is good for the squad that we have a lot of forwards in good form, the competition is healthy.’ 

Fati has been welcomed into the squad and settled quickly but he had special praise for captain Lionel Messi. 

Played in by Frenkie de Jong, Fati volleyed home impressively inside an empty Nou Camp

Played in by Frenkie de Jong, Fati volleyed home impressively inside an empty Nou Camp

The Argentine was actively pushing to leave the Catalan club in the summer, submitting a burofax insisting his desire to see his contract ended a year early, allowing him to join Manchester City. 

Barcelona refused to honour the request, adamant that he would only leave if his £645million release clause was made which, unsurprisingly, it was not. 

The good news for Barcelona and for Fati is that Messi, who scored on Tuesday night, is on hand to help the young Spain international make this team his own. 

‘Messi is still Messi,’ Fati told Movistar. ‘He can score in any action.

‘We are very happy to have him here with us and I continue to learn from him.’

Attention now turns to the weekend when Koeman will get a taste of his first Clasico against Real Madrid as Barcelona boss.

Fati (left) revealed that he is thankful to still have Lionel Messi (right) around to learn from

Fati (left) revealed that he is thankful to still have Lionel Messi (right) around to learn from

Fati admits he is desperate to play against the club’s big rivals and is hopeful of retaining his place after impressing against Ferencvaros. 

‘The more competitive there is between us, the better,’ Fati said. ‘We all come out better.

‘I approach (the Clasico) with maximum enthusiasm. It’s a Clasico, I’ve always dreamed of competing in it.’ 

Barcelona currently sit ninth after four games with seven points while Real Madrid, who have played a game more, are third with 10 points. 

source: dailymail.co.uk