Franco-Algerian forward Anis Hadj Moussa has triggered a major conflict at Feyenoord by going on strike to force a move away, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The crisis erupted just before Wednesday's Champions League match at the Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona defeated the Dutch side 3-1.
Barça, who top La Liga with 9 points from three wins, face this kind of turbulence in rival teams as they prepare for their next fixture against Levante. The Catalan side has scored 12 goals and conceded only two so far this season, showing strong form despite the absences of Frenkie de Jong, Jesse Bisiwu, Roony Bardghji and Eric García, details of which are on the injuries page.
What happened with Anis Hadj Moussa?
Anis Hadj Moussa, the 24-year-old star of Feyenoord since Ayase Ueda's departure to Lille, told his manager, Gio van Bronckhorst, that he did not want to play. This happened hours before Saturday's league match against NEC Nijmegen, a game Feyenoord lost 1-3 and in which the player did not feature. Van Bronckhorst, a former Barcelona player, stated that "su jugador no le había mostrado el deseo de irse en ningún momento" before that conversation. However, the forward was clear: "le comunicó que no quería jugar porque su voluntad es marcharse a Arabia Saudí".
Family pressure is reportedly a factor in this decision. Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad has made a €37 million offer for the footballer, but Feyenoord is resisting the sale and wants a higher fee. The Saudi transfer window remains open, fueling the crisis.
How does this affect Barcelona?
Hadj Moussa's rebellion had a direct impact on the Champions League match. The player was not in a condition to face Barcelona, weakening Feyenoord for their trip to the Camp Nou. The Catalan team took advantage of this circumstance to secure a clear 3-1 victory, earning three vital points in the group stage.
This episode is a reminder of the instability the transfer market can create ahead of important matches. For Barça, who are focused on maintaining their positive streak, knowing the fixtures schedule is key. Their next commitment is an away trip to face tenth-placed Levante on September 13th.
What is Feyenoord's context?
Losing Hadj Moussa would be a hard blow for Van Bronckhorst's project. The player had become the offensive reference for the team and his attitude has created a discipline problem in the dressing room. The Dutch club is in a difficult position, trying to retain its star while evaluating financially tempting offers.
While Feyenoord manages this crisis, Barcelona continues its path in the league. The standings table shows Xavi's team in first place, with a perfect record and a +10 goal difference. This good moment contrasts with the agitation in other European clubs.
Barcelona now prepares for the trip to Valencia. The match against Levante will be another test in their defense of the top spot, before European competition resumes.
