Anssumane Fati, 16, given hug by Messi after becoming youngest Barcelona player since 1941 in 5-2 win over Real Betis
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ANSSUMANE FATI became the youngest Barcelona player to play for the club since 1941 during the 5-2 win against Real Betis on Sunday evening.
The 16-year-old La Masia product had needed parental permission to even be named on the bench due to La Liga regulations about underage stars appearing in late-night games.
And speaking to RAC1 after the game, his father said: "I have seen him make his debut for Barca; I can die quietly. It will not be the first time, there will be many more appearances."
Fati was given a 12-minute cameo as the Catalans marked their return to the Nou Camp with their first league win of the season.
This made the teenage forward the youngest player to represent the Blaugrana since Vicenc Martinez, who was just 18 days younger when he made his bow against Real Madrid 77 years ago.
Fati looked overjoyed at debuting for Barcelona after the full-time whistle, and even earned praise from club captain Lionel Messi.
I have seen him make his debut for Barca; I can die quietly
Anssumane Fati's father
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner shared an image of the two hugging on Instagram, with the caption: "Very happy to see the boys fulfilling their dreams of reaching the first team and playing at Camp Nou in an official match."
Guinea-Bissau born Fati notched four goals and earned a further three assists in nine UEFA Youth League games for Barcelona last term.
He joined the famous La Masia academy when he was just 10 back in 2013, following in the footsteps of now-teammates Messi and Sergio Busquets.
Fati wasn't expected to be given a chance with the first-team so soon, but Ernesto Valverde fast-tracked his development following an injury crisis at the club.
Ousmane Dembele is thought to be unavailable for five weeks after picking up a hamstring strain in their opening La Liga defeat against Athletic Bilbao last week.
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Luis Suarez was also forced off in Barca's 1-0 loss in the Spanish league opener with a calf issue- a similar injury that talisman Messi suffered during pre-season.
Despite this, the Spanish giants showed no lack of firepower up front after Antoine Griezmann marked his home league debut by notching a brace.
The Frenchman's first competitive goals answered Nabil Fekir's opener before strikes from Carles Perez, Jordi Alba and Arturo Vidal made it 5-1, before Loren's stunning consolation.