Ansu Fati is preparing for another emotionally charged chapter in his career as the AS Monaco forward gets set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. Currently on loan from Barcelona, the ...
Ansu Fati is preparing for another emotionally charged chapter in his career as the AS Monaco forward gets set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Currently on loan from Barcelona, the fixture carries added meaning for a player whose football identity remains closely linked to the Blaugrana.
Ahead of the clash, the 23-year-old sat down with Movistar Plus to share his thoughts on the match and the emotions surrounding it.
What does the match mean to him?
For Ansu, facing Real Madrid is never a routine occasion, regardless of the shirt he is wearing.
Before addressing the rivalry directly, he reflected on what the fixture represents for any player developed at Barcelona.
“Facing Real Madrid as a Barça player is always a Clásico, it’s not just another game, it’s a special game,” he said.
During the interview, Ansu was also asked about Kylian Mbappe, one of Real Madrid’s most dangerous weapons.
He acknowledged the forward’s standing in world football and the constant attention surrounding him.
“Mbappe is a great player, we all know that. For me, he’s top; if he’s not number one, he’s two or three.”
Caio Henrique takes the stage
Caio Henrique has sent a warning to Real Madrid. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
While Ansu brings the Barcelona perspective into the tie, another Monaco leader also shared his views.
Fellow Monaco star Caio Henrique spoke to AS, offering insight into the French side’s Champions League campaign so far.
“We drew against City and Tottenham, where we could have won two or three-nil.
“We can go to Madrid and surprise them if we do our job and what the coach asks of us. A draw could be enough to get us through to the next round.”
Henrique was also asked about the importance of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior to the Brazilian national team, especially in the absence of Neymar.
He highlighted the responsibility placed on Vinicius at international level. He then said,
“When Neymar is not there, Vinicius is the face of the team, the player under the most pressure, the player everyone is watching.
“But at the same time, he is a very down-to-earth guy who works hard, doesn’t complain, and always tries his best.
“He’s a guy we look at and say, ‘Damn, he’s a simple guy who works hard and wants to play soccer.’ For us, having Vinicius and Rodrygo is a privilege,” he concluded.
Category: General Sports
