Ansu Fati Sprints Length Of Pitch To Celebrate Goal With Doctor Who ​Helped Him Recover From Injury

Ansu Fati celebrated his first appearance for Barcelona since November 2020 by scoring a cracking goal, just ten minutes after coming off the bench.

The 18-year-old, who has been sidelined for 323 days with a serious knee injury that required four surgeries, returned for the club's La Liga clash against Levante on Sunday afternoon.

And it didn't take him long to make an impact. At 2-0 up after goals from Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong in the opening 15 minutes, manager Ronald Koeman decided to hand the talented forward a chance to impress.

After a number of promising moments, Barca's number 10 produced the moment of the match when he netted a powerful effort past Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernández in injury time.

The teenager then proceeded to sprint the length of the pitch to thank the club's medical team for their support throughout his recovery process.

A classy gesture from Fati, who looked in great shape considering his lengthy absence.

Fati paid tribute to the club's medical team after the final whistle as he touched on wearing the number 10 jersey, previously worn by Lionel Messi.

"I did not imagine a return like this," he told Movistar. "Here you always have to win. I am happy for the victory, we have a lot left. I thank the doctors and physios who have been with me. Also to the fans.

"I have thought about helping the team. I have also thought about my family, who have suffered these months. Also for the people of the club. They have been a great support for me in all these months."

Fati continued, saying: "I am one more. I will try to add what I can. I will try to help the coach and be available to help.

"It will depend on how I find myself. I will have to earn the minutes. This is very long, it has just begun. We are Barca and we have to fight for everything.

"For me the No. 10 is not a source of pressure, it is a source of pride. I thank the club and the captains for giving me the opportunity to wear it. It is not pressure, but gratitude.

"We are going to fight for La Liga, for the Champions League and for everything. We have to fight and work for that."

Topics: Barcelona, Ansu Fati, La Liga

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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