Nasir Jabbar
Ansu Fati's father, Bori, has sensationally slammed Barcelona and bemoaned the lack of game-time for his son in an explosive interview.
The 20-year-old has played 38 games in all competitions this season, but has largely come off the bench, making cameo appearances.
Despite putting his injury woes behind him, Fati has failed to start under Xavi to the dismay of the superstar forward's father who has lashed out at the Catalans giants.
Advert
Bori even held a meeting with the club's chiefs, Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff, to discuss his situation.
Speaking to Spanish outlet COPE, he exclaimed: "Ansu does not want to leave Barcelona, but I want to see him succeed. I won’t go to the stadium anymore, I’m very angry with the club. In a month we will meet with Jorge Mendes, for sure.
"It bothers me that Ansu plays so little. We’re talking about a player that is a Spanish international and came from La Masia. He deserves much more than that."
Advert
Bori admits he doesn't know why the Barca boss doesn't play Ansu, revealing his anger.
"I don’t know why Xavi does not play Ansu. He must have his reasons. Ansu is not disgusted with him, as Xavi was always his idol. But me, I am very angry as a father," he added.
"Mateu Alemany tells me that Ansu is part of the club’s heritage. As a father, I have told Ansu that it is better for him to leave. "But Ansu has told me that he does not agree with me on this. He wants to stay.
"If it was up to me, I would leave Barcelona tomorrow. I told Ansu that if the situation didn’t change, we would have to leave, but he tells me that I’m wrong."
Ansu took the club's iconic No.10 shirt following the departure of Lionel Messi as he failed to comprehend the lack of minutes.
"I really don’t understand how Ansu Fati has few minutes... We are talking about Barca's No.10," he continued.
Advert
"Do you remember how people used to kill Vinicius two years ago? The same thing can happen with Ansu. All I’m asking is for people to protect him. He’s Barca’s No.10 and comes from La Masia."
Bori also claimed that Barca rushed Ansu's recovery and 'forced' him back and said he deserves more minutes.
"When Barca were much worse than they are now, they forced Ansu Fati to come back from injury to play," he said. "They used to want Ansu to make the people happy again. Now that he’s 100% fit and ready, nobody wants Ansu? Did he forget to play football or what?”
"Ansu Fati is Barca’s franchise player... He deserves more minutes."
Advert
Ansu, who graduated from the club's famed youth academy, has since been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool thought to be keen on securing his services.
Will he leave the Camp Nou? Watch this space.