Gerard Pique defends Ansu Fati amid recent controversy: “Most footballers are not prepared”

Speaking to Gerard Romero (h/t SPORT), Barcelona legend Gerard Pique opened up on the situation of youngster Ansu Fati following the comments made by his father earlier this week.

The 20-year-old’s father, Bori Fati, gave an explosive interview in which he lashed out at Barcelona and manager Xavi Hernandez for the forward’s reduced importance and lack of game-time this season.

Even though he has put his injury ordeals behind him, Fati has struggled to make inroads into Xavi’s lineups, with minutes being hard to come by. And it has not sat down well with the La Masia graduate’s father, who claimed that he wants the forward to leave in the summer if the situation does not improve.

With the comments putting Fati in a difficult position, Pique has defended the youngster, suggesting that he is not at blame for what his father said.

“Football comes from the streets and most footballers are not lucky enough to be prepared. Normally you surround yourself with your relatives because you trust them, but they haven’t studied to be managers,” Pique said.

Meanwhile, Xavi also spoke on the matter yesterday during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Elche later tonight. The Barcelona manager insisted that he did not pay heed to what was said and was focused on helping Fati return to his best levels.

“I have spoken to him. He is calm and focused, I like that. It doesn’t worry me. I don’t give importance to what the father says. I understand him perfectly. He is suffering for his son. I lived it… Ansu is a great guy, mature, and will help us,” Xavi had said.

With Barcelona set to face Elche in a few hours, Fati is expected to be a part of the starting XI at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. He must make full use of the opportunity that is coming his way thanks to the absences of Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha.