Ansu Fati: “In the World Cup there is a high level, but I will stay in Spain”

Ansu Fati He arrived on the set of Mundo Deportivo shy, cautious, observant, just after training. This is the first exclusive interview the international striker has given here Qatar World Cup. When they mic, he answers a few messages so he can focus on what’s to come, he wants to do it right. In the other room, meanwhile, he was talking Rodri at a press conference, but he’s distracting.

Aged 20, he made his debut against Japan late in the game after supporting his teammates from the bench in the first two games. Only 20 years old, although so much has happened to him in the past two years that it seems like a lifetime has passed. Only 20 years old and a star that makes him one of the footballers who will star in the next decade of world football.

Having overcome the injury that caused him to undergo surgery four times, Fati He is fully prepared to be an important player for Luis Enrique at this stage of the tournament where only winning is worth it. His nickname is the goal.

The winger of Guinean origin plays easily but reacts with security. He is a mature, honest person, with his feet on the ground, who does not forget his origins and the lessons he received from his large family where respect and gratitude are part of his pillars of life. Fati He speaks and when the interview is over he says goodbye with thanks and a smile. There you can see that at 20 years old he is a man at the same time.

It opens with an interview, if I’m not mistaken.

Yes, the first one.

Well, we thank you from Mundo Deportivo. First of all, how is the group after the loss against Japan?

I can clearly see the colleagues, the group is good. We lost the last game and it leaves you with a bit of a bad feeling, but we’re glad we got through. We’re in the round of 16 and now all that’s left is: keep going, or leave.

What conclusions did you make to prevent this from happening again?

Now everything is life or death and the players are focused on that. We will do our best to get to the next round.

He returned to play for Spain in an official match two years later. What did you feel?

Very good. It’s an honor every time I play for the national team to try to give my best and enjoy this opportunity.

He knows how to wait for his moment, he is patient.

In the end there are many level players and we all have to be ready because we all need coaches and we must be ready.

It was difficult to get in, but when the choice was at the most critical moment, Luis Enrique chose Ansu Fati. Did that comfort you?

Like I said, you have to be ready because you never know what the coach will decide. For players who have to be on the bench, it’s also important to live the game hard and be plugged in because you never know when the coach will call you. So you have to be prepared.

On a confidence level, does it matter that he bet you correctly at that moment?

Of course. For me, anything that adds minutes, the better. What I want is on the pitch.

Did you know they can be removed?

As for me, the truth is no, I didn’t realize it. We knew we had to win and we went for it, even if in the end we didn’t.

Let me back up a bit. How did you live the moment where Luis Enrique gave the list?

I train 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 celebrated.

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

Especially my family. To my parents, my siblings, my friends and all the people who love me and surround me. This is a reward for the work he has been doing so far.

Yes, a nice reward after a hard time.

That is, for everything that has happened in the past two years. The truth is that this is the reward for a daily work, trying to improve myself. And now that I’m okay, it’s a huge reward, yes.

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

The coach thinks about it. All I know is that I’m ready and willing when he needs me.

Did they talk about it later, when you came to the concentration?

Yes, coach gave me confidence, why he bet me to come here. And I thank him for this opportunity.

He is methodical, hardworking and always a football player. We discovered that he was taking advantage of the afternoons to continue training on his own. Continuous racing, shooting sessions…

It’s something I’ve done my whole life because I’m trying to improve and be good at myself. And in the afternoons that I have free I prefer to do some things that create me and give me good feelings, so I will continue it.

The World Cup is a new experience. What did he learn?

Many things. Look at the competition that exists in everything and the group we have here, which is incredible, always trying to help and be good colleagues. What I get the most from this is knowing how to respect, help others and make friends.

He is very soccer. How do you watch the World Cup?

Everyone is very equal. It depends on the small details and it takes care of everything. There is a high level, but I stay in Spain.

They say Luis Enrique is a great leader.

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

On a philosophical level, is Luis Enrique very different from Xavi?

I think every coach has his own way of looking at things. Everyone has their own way of being, explaining and playing. Luis Enrique and Xavi are ultimately different, but only because one trains a club and the other a national team. I see something different.

Now he’s streaming. Has anyone in the group been calling you Padrique?

To tell you the truth, I don’t follow these things very much. The streamer, youtube… I’m kind of removed from it all and I can’t say anything about it.

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

They are very strong. At this point, any team can compete with you, all tactically and physically prepared. We see competition, with many equals and no one winning easily. Morocco is where it belongs and will be a great rival. It will be a very difficult game.

Before he spoke a match in heads or tails. Some colleagues talked about getting blocked when something went wrong. Have you worked these days?

In the end the rival will also play. Try to give the best to yourself and the team. There are phases where the opponent dominates you and you have to be ready because everything is very even. Everyone can compete with you. When the rival dominates you, you have to know how to suffer and solve it in the best possible way.

They are the third youngest team, with 20 rookies. Can you charge them at this stage of the tournament?

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