INTERNATIONAL: Things are looking up for troubled club Barcelona. Its teenage football sensation, Ansu Fati, has extended his contract until 2027. The 18-year-old Spanish international's new deal includes a buyout clause of a staggering $1.17 billion.
Fati burst onto the scene for Barcelona at the tender age of 16. He became the second youngest player in the history of LaLiga. He quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the world, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the Champions League and the youngest player ever to score for Spain.
Fati inherited Barcelona's number 10 jersey from Lionel Messi when he left for Paris St Germain:
"It has always been my dream to succeed here and keep growing here and luckily that's what I will be able to do and I'm very thankful for that. Every day I will work harder in order to improve as a person and player to give the club what they need from me."
Barca's president Joan Laporta says the club knows it’s under pressure to up its game and says Fati will be key in turning things around:
"He is a big hope for us. We know that he is already a reality. Whenever he shoots he scores, he has a gift. We have to be cautious."
Fati is likely to provide Barcelona's main threat against Real Madrid when they meet next week in the Champions’ League. Barcelona can ill afford another defeat.
PHOTO: BARCA FORWARD ANSU FATI SIGNING CONTRACT, BARCA'S PRESIDENT JOAN LAPORTA SIGNING CONTRACT, REMARKS BY FATI AT NEWS CONFERENCE
