After the Ousmane Dembele saga found no optimal conclusion during the January transfer window, the French forward was back in Xavi's matchday squad to face Atletico Madrid, yet his name was met with whistles from the home fans at the Camp Nou.
Fans had been told during the window that should Dembele not sign a contract extension with the Catalan club then he wouldn't play for them again. But, a buyer wasn't found and he is still there, with Xavi stating that he plans to bring him back into the fold.
During the warm-up prior to kick off on Sunday, Dembele was introduced over the PA system which was running through all of Barcelona's squad, at which point the fans already in the ground whistled his name.
What is the current situation with Dembele?
Dembele rejected several offers to leave the club near the transfer deadline, instead electing to run his contract with the Spanish giants down until June.
Xavi selected Dembele to the squad on Sunday, but he wasn't brought into the match and he wasn't even sent to warm up by the former Al-Sadd coach.
Later, the coach pleaded with fans not to whistle Dembele for the remainder of the campaign.
"I ask the Camp Nou, please, stop whistling Dembele," Xavi implored in his post-match press conference.
YCEEog
101
WATCHING THE SAME GAME BUT DIFFERENT THOUGHT
AsifiweThomas
84
this three guys was better than Manchester united attackers remember they're just defenders
Hadam44
72
obviously they gonna boo, that club went through very hard times supporting Dembele, even tho for his injuries and what does he do turn his back to them, Dembele hasent even done any major ments for barca, the feelings by those fans are very understandable,
_lledox_
30
Of course the fans are gonna whistle him. The club was and still is going thru a hellish time, and throughout that time, they supported him in his injuries and multiple misfirings then he turns his back on them like that. The feelings of the fans are very justified.
Vioabdikmy
28
I pity for puig no hope for the guy at all he has to go on loan oooo
emuobokelvin
26
Adama performed really well today, if care is not taken dembele will rot on the bench till he leaves not bcos the club wants to punish him but bcos Adama is a better player
BillyDedon
23
Dembele deserves to be whistle as many times as possible that boy doesn't to play for Barcelona, he doesn't realise what Barcelona have lost for signing him it's all the faults of Bartomue we won't be signing such undisciplined player, Coutinho who was humble still got whistle but him Dembele is proving to be more than he club I pray he doesn't play a single minute till end of the season.
Belshem
20
Who needs Demdoler
hueclopry
18
I saw him celebrating the goals I feel sad for him
Javimor
10
Braithwaithe grew his hair back
abiona81
9
this guy is just a gentle man..I love u coach..keep up the momentum