Soccer can be tremendously unpredictable, capable of offering brilliant opportunities and then taking them away in a flash. Nothing seems definitive in a sport where the present changes in just a few weeks. Marc Casadó has experienced this firsthand, going from a consolidated hope to an unexpected discard in a very short time.
The midfielder had earned a spot in Barça's starting eleven during last season. With Hansi Flick in charge, he surprised both insiders and outsiders with his capacity for sacrifice and tactical discipline. However, fate had an unexpected twist in store for him that would completely change his role in the team.
Casadó | @FCBarcelona
From consolidated promise to forgotten substitute
Casadó enjoyed quality minutes and performed like a much more experienced footballer than he actually is. In important matches, he was a starter, showing character, balance, and a sense of collective play that impressed Flick. Everything indicated that he would be the midfielder of Barça's future, an indispensable piece in the blaugrana's tactical board.
The turning point came at the beginning of this year, when Flick decided to return the starting spot to Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman replied with notable performances and automatically pushed Casadó to the bench with hardly any chance to recover. Since then, his participation has been drastically reduced, accumulating several matches without playing a single minute.
The young midfielder has experienced that sudden drop in his importance within the squad with frustration. He feels that he has shown a sufficient level to be considered more consistently. The coach, however, prioritizes players with more experience and hierarchy in the decisive moments of the season.
Marc Casadó | @FCBarcelona
Fierce competition in the blaugrana midfield
The context doesn't help Casadó recover prominence in the coming months. Flick has a midfield full of talent and with untouchable footballers in the starting structure. Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong are key pieces, while Bernal has also earned the coach's trust.
At the same time, some versatile players are increasing the competition in midfield and complicating the situation. Christensen or Eric García have shown reliability as defensive pivots, adding alternatives in the area Casadó occupies. With such a scenario, it's clear that his prominence will again be very limited throughout the season.
Deco, blaugrana's football director, doesn't close the door to the youth player's departure in the coming months either. The executive believes that accumulating minutes at another club could accelerate his growth and increase his market value. Barça's strategy is not to lose control over his future, but to let him leave.
Marc Casadó | @FCBarcelona
The decision has already been made
Marc Casadó, aware that his sporting development can't wait, has made the firm decision to leave. In January, barring an unexpected turn, he will look for a new destination where he can take on more prominence. His inner circle confirms it: the player is clear that he will no longer keep waiting for opportunities that never come.
The footballer feels that he deserves a stable place in the elite and is convinced that outside Barça he will achieve it. Despite his love for the blaugrana colors, he prioritizes his professional career and the possibility of continuing to grow. In this sense, he believes that the current market offers him interesting options that he doesn't want to miss.
The month of January will be decisive for the agreement to be finalized and his departure to become official. The club is already aware that a major operation is approaching and accepts it as inevitable. In the locker room, some teammates have already shown their sadness at seeing such a disciplined footballer leave.
Marc Bernal next to Marc Casadó | @FCBarcelona
Interest in Casadó isn't limited to abroad, although Premier League teams already sounded him out in the summer. In LaLiga, at least seven teams are closely following his situation and are considering making a move for him. His youth, discipline, and tactical ability make him an attractive profile for many coaches.
Among the most prominent offers is Atlético de Madrid, which is seriously considering making a strong offer. From the Metropolitano, they would be willing to invest a significant amount of money to sign the player. They're not the only ones, but the rojiblanco club tops a list of teams that see Casadó as a market opportunity.
