GOAL has published an interview with Gilles Grimandi in which he said Ansu Fati has been held back by injuries rather than by the pressure of inheriting Lionel Messi's No.10 shirt at Barcelona. The comments came after Fati scored his first goal of 2026-27 in Monaco's Europa League win over CSKA Sofia, with Monaco due to face Freiburg in the competition on Thursday.
Grimandi on the No.10 shirt
Fati inherited Barcelona's No.10 shirt when Messi left in 2021. The former Monaco star told GOAL: "He was a talented player when he was young. I followed him a lot because I went to watch him many times when he was in Barcelona. I do not think that the pressure has killed him. I think his body didn't help him to perform."
Grimandi also said: "I don't think it's the pressure of getting the number 10 that’s killing him. He's talented, but not as talented as top players."
Injuries and development
Fati made his competitive debut at 16 years of age. Grimandi said: "Unfortunately his body didn't help him to perform. He has had a lot of injuries."
Grimandi also said: "I don't think he has the ability of Yamal. He's still below these top players, but it's a shame because he could have been great. He still has time to come, but so far I think it's not what we expected from him when he was young."
A meniscus tear in the 2020-21 campaign kept Fati out for over 300 days, according to GOAL. GOAL also reported that he made 51 appearances for Barcelona in 2022-23 and reached double figures in goals for the first time.
From Brighton to Monaco
Fati was loaned to Brighton in 2023-24. He completed a permanent move to Monaco in the summer of 2026 and signed a four-year contract, according to GOAL. GOAL also reported that he has 10 Spain caps.
Fati scored his first goal of 2026-27 in Monaco's Europa League win over CSKA Sofia.
What Grimandi said Fati must do next
Grimandi said: "First of all, I think he has to perform in his club at this moment and he does not do it because he does not play. For me, what is important is to come back in shape and to play on the long term in the club and score goals."
He added: "But he hasn't done it for a few seasons, so the next target for him is to play in game after game and keep his body fit to see what he can do. He will score goals because he has that inside himself, but now it's time to play six months on the long term to be sure that he can do it."