After having to get permission from his parents to be part of FC Barcelona's squad on Sunday night, a 16-year-old African starlet had fans on the edge of their seats when he made his first-team debut in the Blaugrana's 5-2 LaLiga win over Real Betis.
Following their opening-day loss to Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Barca supporters became nervous when their side went 1-0 down to Betis on Sunday night.
Antoine Griezmann drew level not long before the half-time break, though, and added a second goal just five minutes after the restart. The floodgates then opened, with Carles Perez, Jordi Alba and Arturo Vidal all getting goals of their own.
Betis got one final consolation goal through Loren Moron in the 79th minute, just 60 seconds after 16-year-old African winger Anssumane Fati came on for Barca to become their second youngest player in history.
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2 - Anssumane Fati has become the second youngest player to play for @FCBarcelona in LaLiga history (16 years and 298 days), after Vicenç Martínez against Real Madrid in October 1941 (16y 280d). Audacity
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Fati, a Guinea-Bissau-born attacker, replaced Perez to a huge ovation, and looked to make an immediate impact on his dream night at the Camp Nou. The winger got on the ball as much as he could, took on a few Betis defenders, and almost scored with his effort in the 87th minute edging narrowly past the post.
The player joined Barca's La Masia academy six years ago, when he was just 10 years old, and appears to have a bright future if his first few moments in a Blaugrana shirt were anything to go by.
Fati appeared delighted and proud to have made his debut for the senior side, and thanked the supporters and the club.
"The truth is that I was very nervous, but I only have words of thanks for everyone; the club, the coach, the fans, who have received me so well," Fati told the club's media.
"I looked to my parents, my family, those who have accompanied me to this point.
"I stayed there on the pitch because I couldn't believe it, and now it's time to enjoy the moment. I only have words of thanks."
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