Video: Ansu Fati greeted with applause by Barcelona teammates as he returns to training

As Pedri found the net in the 93rd minute against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey round of 16, the jubilation among those wearing lilac was unparalleled.

Barcelona were the second-best team for most of the game but were still in the contest courtesy of two moments of individual brilliance.

Minutes after extra time began, though, the mood shifted to that of gloom. As Barça cleared a counter-attack, Ansu Fati looked troubled and almost immediately broke into tears, realising what was wrong.

He had picked up a hamstring injury, and his worst fears came true when he was asked to go through surgery. The teenager refused, though, instead opting for conservative treatment in Madrid.

After more than two months today, Fati returned to group training. He was greeted with applause from his teammates not called to international duty.

Video: Ansu Fati returns to training. https://t.co/6LZOX84dCy

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 28, 2022

Details of his return are still up in the air, but if previous reports are to be believed, Fati could get to play his first game in nearly three months vs Eintracht Frankfurt or Cadiz in mid-April.

One thing is for certain, though. Barcelona will take no risks with Fati’s injury, and he will get to take his time before hitting the ground running.

Xavi has multiple options at his disposal and an attack that is firing on all cylinders. One can only imagine how much it will improve once Fati joins in.