'Strip him of the No.10!' - Ansu Fati brutally told his 'career is over already' as Barcelona confirm crushing new injury blow for attacker once dubbed 'the next Lionel Messi'

Ansu was tipped to become a hero at Barcelona after he graduated from the club's youth academy, breaking records as the team's youngest-ever scorer in La Liga at the age of 16. However, he missed almost the entirety of the 2020-21 season with an injury and has not been able to secure a place as a regular starter for the Spanish giants. He was sent out on loan to Brighton last season, where he started in just three of his 19 Premier League appearances.

Ansu's return to Barcelona has not gone to plan as he missed the first few weeks of the season with an injury and has been largely used as a substitute since, starting one La Liga match under Hansi Flick. The situation grew worse on Wednesday when the club confirmed he faces another four weeks out after sustaining a hamstring injury, prompting negative reactions from some.

One social media user demanded Ansu be given a new shirt number, having inherited his from club icon Lionel Messi, saying: "Strip him off the number 10 ASAP."

"His career is over already," @mideszn029 wrote. "Time to wrap it up." Another supporter predicted: "This is probably his last ever season at Barca."

Gunnerssociety chimed in with: "Barcelona should let Ansu Fati leave the club immediately", and Kushy Blake added: "He should leave the football before the football leaves him. Calling him washed at this point is a disrespect to soap and water!"

The 22-year-old, who had failed to live up to his billing as 'the next Messi', will begin his recovery from the latest setback and will hope to be back fighting for a place in Flick's team before long.