Marc Casadó's Barcelona faith, told through a night of madness

BarcelonaThe week in which Hansi Flick's Barça scared Europe, thrashing Real Madrid at the Bernabéu and Bayern Munich at Montjuïc, they did so with Marc Casadó as the driving force behind the team. The midfielder from Sant Pere de Vilamajor, playing with his heart on his sleeve, quickly became an icon of Barcelona. But the reality is that, just a few months earlier, when he was in tears after losing to Barça Atlètic in the final of the play-off After promotion to the Second Division, his future as a Barça player was far from clear. Flick, who had been studied on video, gave him a chance in preseason and saved him from an exit.

This summer, as rumors of a possible sale to balance the club's books swirled, Flick intervened again: he gave Ciutat de València a starting position. It was the manager's response to rumors about a departure, which the management wouldn't mind if the offer was 30 million or more. Although a year earlier Casadó was considering continuing his career outside the club of his life, with his time with the reserve team already closed, the option of a transfer has once again surrounded him this summer. With the transfer market open, Casadó admitted to those closest to him that it would be difficult for him to get playing time this season. The established duo of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri has been joined by a great version of Gavi. And Marc Bernal will soon be back.

The club's current situation requires it to listen to all offers, as is the case with Fermín López and Chelsea, as explained by ARA. Several European teams have also inquired about Casadó's situation, whose only intention is to wear the Blaugrana colors. "If there's any chance of playing, he'll stay at all costs," say those close to him, aware of the distance he's had to travel to become part of the first team squad. His case isn't like that of Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsí, who established themselves in the elite as teenagers. He's had to go through the stages of footballers who don't explode so early. He'll turn 22 on September 14.

Described as "a culé through and through" by those who know him best—and they say the same about his family—Casado has been steadily gaining the sympathy of the fans. One of the most special nights he experienced, curiously, was without the ball at his feet. After Barça won the league in Cornellà, Casadó went to celebrate at Canaletes like any other fan. He has the photo pinned on his Instagram account. It's the first one you see upon entering. And in part, it's that feeling that keeps him convinced to stay at Barcelona, ​​​​even though he himself knows it will be difficult to earn minutes.

He inherited the culé feeling from his family. Few people know this better than Quim Vergés, a member of the Peña Barcelonista Vilamajor. Marc's parents are often seen following the games at the club, and during his youth career, the player himself also attended. "We've experienced his season with enormous pride. Unlike last year, which was duller, this year has been incredible. We're proud that he's from here. He gives us a lot of grit," explains Quim. At the league title celebration in Montjuïc, he ended up waving a Barça flag with his mother on the pitch.

Another star in the Mendes galaxy

Flick sent a message by starting him against Levante. It wasn't the Vallecas native's best performance, as he was substituted at halftime for Marcus Rashford. Last year, Casadó was the broom for a team that was voracious in pressing. In these first matches, with a lack of experience, Barça is struggling to find the same energy to win possession back, especially up front, an aspect that also affects Casadó's performances.

Now settled into the first team, he has dispelled the doubts some people at the club had. "There were those who thought he wasn't good enough to make it, because being a center requires extreme neatness. He's always delivered, also at full-back. He's a committed player, a hard worker, and a 10 as a person, one of those who only contribute," explains one of the people who has watched him grow. He has always worn the armband sewn on his arm. In the reserve team, he was one of those in charge of helping newcomers. Gerard Martín knows this well, having accompanied him when he arrived from Cornellà.

This has been a season of change for Casadó. Not only has he become independent, but he's also changed his agent. He has entrusted the management of his career to Jorge Mendes. Specifically, in his office in Barcelona, ​​​​which has Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati, the promising Guille Fernández, and the jewel in the crown, Lamine Yamal, under his wing. Although the club's financial straits only allow a few players to be untransferable, Casadó has always been willing to fight for a place in the squad.