Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi… Marc Bernal

In the summer of 1962, a small revolution took place in Spanish football. when Athletic asked to register two young players, defender Aranguren (18) and midfielder Uriarte (17), in the club’s first team. At the time, this was prohibited and almost never done in practice. because it was considered dangerous to expose them at a tender age to the rigors of adult football.But there was a formula: if the Federation doctors examined them and considered them “adults,” they could be registered. Both came to Madrid, passed the appropriate exam and were found fit..

“Northern chicks, of course,” came the admiring explanation on the street.Both had long and successful careers. Today is a different time, that caution is gone, the diet has improved.The boys are getting stronger, and their first appearances in the world of football are becoming more and more frequent. And also because they develop technically earlier, having the best equipment, instructors and international training from the very beginning.. In these years, they appear above all in Barça, because they do it better, because of economic necessity, by chance, or because of all of these things. Every now and then, a new one comes along. They arrive at such a speed that it attracts attention..

And they get hurt, which reignites old debates.. Marc Bernal has just joined the list of Ansu Fati, who has never recovered, Pedri, who is raising his head, Gavi, who is still here, Balde, who is already in good shape… It’s like a curse. Were they forced too early? If they play, it is because the club doctors consider them fit; players get injured at any age, but the overlap between Barca’s young players is beginning to seem excessive. Ancelotti, who just happened to meet Joan Martinez, yesterday pointed to a possible reason: holidays and a short pre-season, and the competition is in full swing since August.

Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp, where you will find everything about sports in one space: daily news, an agenda with the latest news about the most important sports events, the most striking images, the opinion of the best AS firms, reports, videos and a little humor from time to time.