Barça’s No. 10 Left Out Again! Ansu Fati’s €14M Wages, 0 Goals, 0 Assists—Still Refusing to Leave

Once the Future, Now the Forgotten Man

There was a time when Ansu Fati was destined to be Barcelona’s next great icon. Handed the legendary No. 10 shirt after Lionel Messi’s departure, he was hailed as the future of the club, a generational talent ready to lead a new era at Camp Nou.

Fast forward to March 2025, and the reality is far from the dream. Fati has been completely frozen out of the squad, once again excluded from the matchday list as Barça prepared for a crucial La Liga showdown against Atlético Madrid.

Despite earning a staggering €14 million per year, Fati has produced zero goals and zero assists across all competitions this season. His role in Hansi Flick’s squad? Non-existent. His future at the club? Uncertain.

Yet, despite being unwanted by the manager, sidelined for months, and pushed toward the exit door, Fati refuses to leave.

Another Omission, Another Blow

Ahead of Barcelona’s high-stakes clash against Atlético Madrid, Flick announced the official squad list—and once again, Ansu Fati was nowhere to be seen.

• Not in the starting XI.

• Not on the bench.

• Not even in contention.

This was not an isolated incident. In fact, Fati has barely featured all season.

• Across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, he has made just 8 appearances, totaling a meager 187 minutes.

• Since the start of 2025, his record is even worse:

  • Zero minutes in La Liga.

  • Zero minutes in the Champions League.

  • Zero minutes in the Spanish Super Cup.

  • A mere 28 minutes in the Copa del Rey.

This is not how Barcelona’s No. 10 should be treated. But then again, this is not how a Barcelona No. 10 should perform.

From Promise to Pain: The Ansu Fati Decline

A Star on the Rise

It wasn’t long ago that Fati was seen as Messi’s heir.

• At just 16 years old, he became Barcelona’s youngest-ever goalscorer.

• By 17, he was scoring in El Clásico and dazzling the world.

• At 18, he was officially handed the No. 10 jersey, a symbol of trust and expectation.

Everything seemed perfect—until injuries struck.

The Endless Injury Nightmare

Between 2020 and 2023, Fati endured a series of brutal setbacks:

• Torn meniscus

• Multiple surgeries

• Recurring muscle problems

By the time he finally returned to full fitness, Barcelona had moved on. The likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres had taken over the attacking roles. Flick’s system simply didn’t have a place for him anymore.

The Harsh Reality: No Space, No Future

Barcelona’s Stacked Attack

Right now, Fati is not just out of favor—he is completely surplus to requirements.

Barcelona’s forward line is packed with talent:

• First-choice front three:

  • Lamine Yamal (one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers)

  • Robert Lewandowski (still delivering goals at 36)

  • Raphinha (a consistent performer under Flick)

• Backup options:

  • Ferran Torres (flourishing under Flick)

  • Dani Olmo (a versatile playmaker)

  • Gavi and Pablo Torre (competing for attacking midfield roles)

Where does Fati fit in? The answer is simple: he doesn’t.

Flick’s Message is Clear: He’s Not Needed

Since taking over, Flick has made no effort to integrate Fati into his plans. He has given chances to younger players, rotated his squad strategically—but Fati has remained on the outside.

In private meetings, Flick reportedly told Fati that he does not see him as part of Barça’s future. And yet, the player remains unwilling to move on.

Barcelona’s Financial Burden: A Player They Can’t Use, A Contract They Can’t Escape

The €14M Problem

If Fati were a low-cost squad player, his continued presence might not be such a disaster.

But his wages are astronomical:

• €14 million per year (before taxes)

• Third-highest earner at the club, behind only:

  • Lewandowski (€33M)

  • Frenkie de Jong (€19M)

Barcelona’s financial crisis has forced them to slash costs, sell assets, and restructure contracts. Yet, they are stuck paying Champions League superstar wages to a player who doesn’t even make the squad list.

Failed Exit Strategies

Barcelona tried to offload Fati in January—but he refused to leave.

• Besiktas and Fenerbahçe made loan offers in February, even sending representatives to negotiate.

• Fati rejected them outright.

• Even his agent, Jorge Mendes, has urged him to move on.

Now, Barça are left in a brutal dilemma:

• They don’t need him.

• They can’t afford him.

• But they also can’t force him out.

What Next? Saudi Arabia? Qatar? Or More Wasted Years?

With no future at Barça, Fati’s options are dwindling.

Reports suggest Saudi Arabian and Qatari clubs are interested, offering huge salaries to lure him away. But Fati’s camp insists he wants to stay in Europe—despite the fact that no major European club is willing to take him on his current wages.

At 22 years old, he should be entering his prime. Instead, he is watching his career fade away, trapped in a cycle of injuries, lost confidence, and stubborn refusal to take a fresh start elsewhere.

A Harsh but Necessary Reality Check

Football is ruthless, and Fati’s situation is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

? From golden boy to forgotten man—his fall from grace has been stunning.
? Barcelona have moved on—but he refuses to accept it.
? He still has time to revive his career—but he must make the right choice soon.

Staying at Barcelona benefits no one—not the club, not Flick, and certainly not Fati himself.

If he doesn’t take action soon, the once-bright future of Barcelona’s No. 10 may be reduced to nothing more than a footnote in the club’s history.