As every year, AS Monaco holds its back-to-school press conference. It's an opportunity to present its summer signings. This Thursday, three players faced the numerous journalists. Eric Dier, who arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich; Paul Pogba, who signed a two-year contract after being arrested for a year and a half following his doping scandal at Juventus; and Ansu Fati are the three new faces present at La Turbie. As for the star of La Masia, his signing was made official on July 1st via a press release. "AS Monaco is pleased to announce the arrival of Ansu Fati. The 22-year-old Spanish international striker is on loan from FC Barcelona for the 2025-2026 season, with an option to buy."
Finding the real Ansu in Monaco
For his part, Barça specified that he had extended his contract until 2028 before joining the Rock. This was a priority for Fati, who is on cloud nine as he admitted to journalists. "I am happy to be here and I want to thank the club for choosing to bet on me. After the first contact with Monaco , I immediately wanted to come here. I am happy and eager to show what I can give. I am satisfied to be among you." Relaunched on the subject, he said a little more about the reasons that convinced him to sign. "I spoke about it with my agent, who was in contact with Monaco. It's a team that believed in me, that presented things clearly. I was able to speak with the coach. He explained to me what he expected from me and I explained what I could bring. Carlos and Tiago's arguments convinced me and that's why I'm here."
But he doesn't come with a spirit of revenge, having experienced quite a few lows in recent years. "No, not at all. I'm not seeking revenge. I'm here to enjoy football. I came here to give everything I know how to do and give the best to this club. I hope to be able to experience great things here in Monaco. Yes, every change is positive. This season, I'm going to spend it here, in Monaco. I want to thank, once again, the club where I grew up and took my first steps. Regarding my time at Brighton, I consider it a positive, even if some people think differently. I had an injury and I wasn't able to give the continuity I wanted. I would like to do it here and participate in this club in the best possible way, if the coach wishes, of course." Regarding the coach, Adi Hütter, the two men have already spoken quite a bit.
He warns PSG
"I had a conversation with the coach. But as the saying goes, 'what's said in the locker room stays in the locker room.' I'm at his disposal and I'm here to give my all for the team. Physically, I feel very good right now." His fitness is one of the questions after his signing, as he has had some setbacks and only played 11 games in all competitions last season under coach Hansi Flick. Fati tried to reassure everyone. "I try to be as good as possible. I can't control what happens inside me and I try to minimize the risks. I try to do my best, to give my all. I'm fighting to get back to my best level. I'm here to find the best physical condition to play football."
The player, who is looking for an apartment to settle in the Principality with his sister and brothers, will therefore discover Ligue 1 after having played in La Liga and the Premier League. And while some believe that the French league is inferior in terms of level, that's not his opinion. "That's not what I think. I consider Ligue 1 to be one of the best leagues in the world. You just have to look at who won the last Champions League. Every league is different, and that's normal. I think the French league has had great players; one of the best in the world came out of here. I think some people think that, but that's not my case." In France, he will cross paths with PSG and its stars. But that doesn't seem to really scare him, as he admitted to the French media this Thursday.
A dream to play with Pogba
"PSG is a good team, we all know that. They won the Champions League. But we're here to make their life as difficult as possible. That's our goal. I have friends, people I love very much at PSG, whether it's Luis Enrique, who gave me my debut with the Spanish national team, and I thank him for that, or Ousmane Dembélé, with whom I had a good time at Barça. I wish them the best, except against us." To knock PSG off their throne, ASM will be able to count on Ansu, but also on Paul Pogba, their star signing. "He's a great player. We were happy to know he was going to sign for Monaco. We're happy for Monaco, but I think the whole of football is happy to know he's back in action. He's one of the best in the world, both at club level and with the French national team."
He continued: "We hope to have a great year together and take advantage of it to help put ASM back in the position it deserves (…) Playing with Paul is a dream. He's a player I always admired when I was a child. I would even say that when I was at La Masia, he was an idol for my friends and me. We talked about him, we wanted to know as much as possible about him. Playing with Paul is still incredible. I hope to be able to contribute the most for the coach and the team." If Fati's gamble is successful in Monaco, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back with La Roja. "Of course, everything will depend on my performances at the club to see if I can return to the national team." A selection where he could meet his friend Lamine Yamal. "I've always had a good relationship with him at Barça. We respect each other a lot and we wish each other the best. But I want to say that the whole team and Barça wished me the best. There are very good people at the club. Lamine Yamal wished me the best ." It's Ansu Fati's turn to play now!
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