Laporta threatens Barcelona player with expulsion after Celta Vigo match

Barcelona may have secured a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Celta Vigo in La Liga, but the scenes that unfolded after the final whistle have cast a dark shadow over the victory. While players and fans were basking in the euphoria of a dramatic turnaround, one figure on the sidelines was seething — not with joy, but with frustration.

Ansu Fati, once hailed as the next great hope of FC Barcelona and heir to Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt, was the player at the center of a post-match incident that has reportedly infuriated club president Joan Laporta. Despite warming up for nearly the entire second half, Fati was not brought onto the pitch by head coach Hansi Flick. His reaction to this perceived snub was explosive and public.

As the final whistle blew and celebrations erupted, Fati kicked a stadium radiator in anger, tore off his warm-up bib, and threw his jersey to the ground. He then stormed off the pitch, bypassing both teammates and coaching staff without so much as a handshake. His emotional outburst was witnessed by fans, coaching personnel, and club officials — and the fallout is now reverberating throughout Camp Nou.

Joan Laporta, already under pressure due to financial strains and the club’s inconsistent form this season, was reportedly enraged by what he deemed as “unacceptable and disrespectful conduct.” According to sources close to the president, he considered the act not just unprofessional, but a direct affront to the club’s identity and values.

Fati’s actions come at a delicate time. Barcelona’s narrow win over Celta Vigo, which featured a last-minute winner, was being viewed as a potential turning point in the club’s stuttering title challenge. But instead of unity and resolve, the headlines have been hijacked by controversy and internal unrest.

Laporta is now believed to have delivered a stern internal message: either discipline is restored, or consequences will be enforced. And in the case of Ansu Fati, the consequence being discussed is nothing short of expulsion from the team.

Fati’s career at Barcelona has been one of promise shadowed by persistent injury and dwindling confidence. After an underwhelming loan spell at Brighton in the Premier League, the 21-year-old returned to Catalonia hoping for redemption. However, new coach Hansi Flick has not been impressed, using him sparingly since taking over, and Fati has failed to climb the pecking order.

His frustrations finally boiled over against Celta, but instead of sympathy, the reaction within the club hierarchy has been cold and firm. Laporta has reportedly instructed sporting director Deco to “resolve the Ansu issue decisively” before the start of next season. Whether through a loan deal with an option to buy or a permanent transfer, Barcelona now considers Fati’s exit all but inevitable.

Deco and his team are now weighing potential destinations. Several La Liga sides — including Sevilla, Real Betis, and Villarreal — have previously shown interest. Meanwhile, in England, clubs like Crystal Palace and Wolves are monitoring the situation closely, sensing an opportunity to sign a talented winger whose market value has dropped but whose ceiling remains high.

However, Fati’s lucrative contract, which runs until 2027, remains a hurdle. His annual salary, negotiated during a period when he was considered untouchable, may deter many suitors unless Barcelona agrees to subsidize part of his wages or renegotiate terms.

From a cultural standpoint, the incident has particularly disappointed senior figures at the club because Fati is a product of La Masia. For a player who grew up steeped in Barça values, such an act of public dissent has been interpreted as a betrayal of trust and club spirit.

Laporta’s reaction also signals a broader concern — that a culture of entitlement is creeping into the dressing room, especially among players who haven’t earned their stripes under the new regime. “We can’t afford to allow this kind of behavior to poison the locker room,” a source close to Laporta reportedly said. “Respect for the badge comes before individual frustration.”

For fans, the situation is tragic. Ansu Fati once captured the imagination of an entire fanbase when he burst onto the scene at just 16. His flair, fearlessness, and raw talent reminded many of the young Lionel Messi. Now, just a few years later, he finds himself on the brink of being discarded — not due to a lack of ability, but because of perceived attitude and discipline issues.

Still, there remains a faction of fans who sympathize with Fati. They argue that being sidelined repeatedly would take a toll on any young player, especially one trying to rebuild after injury setbacks. But even they acknowledge that his reaction was poorly timed and poorly executed.

In the end, Fati’s future may now lie far from Barcelona. What was once a fairytale beginning now threatens to become a cautionary tale about pressure, patience, and professionalism in modern football.

As Barcelona prepares for the upcoming transfer window, one thing is clear: Ansu Fati’s days in Blaugrana are numbered. And if Laporta’s stance remains unchanged, this summer will mark the final chapter in what could have been a legendary career at Camp Nou.