Marc Casado literally gave us hope when De Jong was injured at the start of the 2024/25 season, he and Pedri pairing was very good.”

When Frenkie de Jong went down with yet another injury at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, a dark cloud seemed to loom over FC Barcelona’s midfield. With the team already in a transitional phase under Hansi Flick, many feared the worst — another season plagued by inconsistency, especially in the heart of midfield. But then, from the depths of La Masia, rose Marc Casado, a player few expected would carry such a heavy burden with such calmness and control.

Casado stepped into a role few young players could handle with maturity, but he did more than just “fill in” — he stood tall. His chemistry with Pedri was immediate, and the two formed a balanced duo that brought stability, creativity, and defensive awareness to a team searching for rhythm. Fans quickly noticed the composure Casado brought to the pitch — he wasn’t flashy, but he was effective, tidy in possession, and always alert.

In those opening matches, Casado became the engine Barça didn’t know it had. He handled pressure like a veteran, played short, incisive passes, and was always in the right position to recover loose balls. Pedri, freed from some of his usual defensive duties, flourished alongside him. It was the kind of midfield combination that had Barça supporters believing again — believing that maybe, just maybe, the club’s future still lay in its youth.

That’s why the recent rumors of Marc Casado being placed on the transfer list have been met with disbelief and frustration by many fans. Selling Casado now, when he’s proven himself in difficult moments, feels like a short-sighted move. Especially when considering the ongoing uncertainty surrounding De Jong’s fitness, it’s baffling to consider letting go of the one player who stepped up in his absence.

De Jong is undoubtedly a world-class midfielder when fit, but his injury record in recent years is anything but encouraging. Barcelona cannot afford to keep repeating the same cycle: relying heavily on a player who isn’t always available. Having a dependable, academy-grown alternative like Casado is not just convenient — it’s necessary.

More importantly, Casado has shown that he understands the Barça DNA. His positioning, awareness, and decision-making reflect a player who grew up in the system and knows exactly what is expected of him. That kind of tactical intelligence is not easily replaceable, especially not in a market where midfielders of his profile and age are either overpriced or underdeveloped.

Of course, financial pressures continue to loom over the club, and sales must be made. But it raises the question: if the goal is to reduce the wage bill or generate income, are there not other players who could be sacrificed before Casado? Players who haven’t shown the same commitment, growth, or influence when called upon?

It’s painful to imagine looking back a season from now, watching Casado shine elsewhere, while Barcelona once again scrambles to patch together a midfield during another De Jong absence. Regret is a feeling Barça fans have grown too familiar with in recent years — letting talents like Cucurella, Grimaldo, or even Thiago Alcântara slip away too soon. Casado must not become another name on that list.

Selling a player like him would not just be a sporting mistake; it would be a symbolic one. It would send a message that even performing under pressure isn’t enough to earn your place. For a club that claims to value its youth academy, selling Casado now contradicts everything La Masia stands for.

Marc Casado deserves better — not just because of his potential, but because of what he has already delivered when it mattered most. Keeping him is not only the smart thing to do for the team’s depth, but it’s also the right thing to do if Barcelona wants to stay true to its identity.

Because when others looked shaky, Casado was calm. When Pedri needed a partner, Casado rose. And when De Jong fell, Casado gave