Wearing the No.10 jersey that used to belong to Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati has made a triumphant return from a long injury layoff, scoring a goal and giving Barcelona fans hope for the future.
Fati, who hadn't played in more than 10 months because of a knee injury, scored in stoppage time to seal a 3-0 La Liga win over Levante that helped ease some of the pressure on Barcelona after a three-match winless streak.
The 18-year-old Fati was loudly cheered by the crowd at the Camp Nou when he entered the match in the 81st minute, then profusely celebrated after scoring with a low shot from outside the area.
He has been one of Barcelona's most promising stars and is seen by many as a player who can help the Catalan club overcome Messi's painful departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
"I'm proud to be able to wear this number after Leo did," Fati said.
"I'm thankful for the club and for the team captains to have given me this opportunity. It's not a pressure for me.
"I'm just grateful for being able to wear this number that gave so much for the club."
It was Fati's 14th goal in 44 matches for Barcelona, and his first since the "clasico" against Real Madrid at Camp Nou last October.
He ran near the stands after the goal to thank his relatives.
"I'm thankful to everyone in my family who suffered during all these months," he said.
"I'm thankful to everyone at the club and to the fans. They've all supported me greatly."
Fati debuted with the first team in 2019 as a 16-year-old. He eventually became the youngest scorer for Barcelona and for Spain's national team.
Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong had each scored in the first 15 minutes of the match to put Barcelona on their way.
Koeman was not sitting on the bench on Sunday after being handed a two-game ban for complaining to the referee in the team's home draw against Granada last week.
He will also miss next weekend's match at defending champion Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona are now sixth, five points behind leaders Real Madrid with a game in hand.
Levante remains winless after seven matches, with four draws and three losses. Granada and Getafe are the only other teams without a win so far this season.
Elsewhere, Colombia veteran Radamel Falcao scored his third goal in his third match since joining promoted Rayo Vallecano, helping them beat visiting Cadiz 3-1.
Mikel Oyarzabal sored an 81st-minute winner as Real Sociedad beat Elche 1-0 at home to move to second, within a point of Madrid.
Seventh-placed Real Betis defeated bottom side Getafe 2-0 while Javi Martinez scored an 88th-minnute winner as Osasuna beat Mallorca 3-2.
Australian Associated Press
