Fati's future: Role may shift to an organizer after a slump against Real Madrid

Fati is no longer the explosive young star he was when he first burst onto the scene.

Now playing as a shadow striker, he searches for opportunities in front of goal but repeatedly appears hesitant at the crucial moment. His performance in Monaco’s match against Real Madrid also failed to meet expectations.

Fati is no longer the prodigious teenager who stunned Barcelona at age 16. Back then, he emerged out of nowhere with tremendous dynamism, always seeking the quickest path to goal. Now 23 and having endured multiple serious injuries, he understands that he needs more favorable conditions to achieve the same impact—and his first instinct is often to create chances for his teammates.

This was evident in Monaco’s heavy 1–6 defeat to Real Madrid, where he surprisingly started the match. Fati has transitioned from a finisher to a facilitator—a shift driven by changes in his physical condition. Coaches have recognized this and are attempting to build tactics around the “new version” of Fati.

De Zerbi, during their time together at Brighton, already positioned him away from the wings, as did Flick; now at Monaco, we see the same approach: first Adi Hütter (dismissed in October), and now

The former Barcelona forward had opportunities to threaten Real Madrid’s goal but failed to trouble Arbeloa’s side significantly. He faced immense difficulties: a Real Madrid side that completely dominated the French team, one that overwhelmed opponents at the Bernabéu, allowing Mbappé, Vinícius, and Mastantuono to run rampant.

Ansu received Monaco’s clearest chance of the first half, but he prematurely opted for a sliding tackle to meet a cross. The ball was actually slightly low, and his judgment was off—he actually had time to shoot without diving, and the attempt ultimately went wide.

In the second half, his opportunities were even scarcer. He continued primarily in a supporting role: delivering an excellent assist to Balogun, who failed to convert it, with Courtois making the save. Fati constantly drifted between the lines, appearing more like a “number 10” than a “number 9,” yet his teammates never truly integrated him into their attacking structure.

Having already scored seven goals for Monaco this season, Fati was substituted in the 60th minute. The whistles echoing through the Bernabéu seemed to remind him of a past that now feels very distant. This match was like a blurred snapshot, capturing Fati’s current state: having lost the physical advantages of his early career, he must reinvent himself—and it seems he is already on that path.