Barcelona officially kicked off their pre-season training on Monday, with players expected to report to the Ciutat Esportiva at 09:00 sharp. The session marked a fresh start under new head coach Hansi Flick, who gathered a 35-man squad for the first official day of preparations ahead of the 2025/26 season.
However, one notable absentee drew attention, Héctor Fort. The young right-back failed to meet the arrival deadline, something that reportedly did not sit well with the German manager. Known for his no-nonsense approach and strict discipline, the German coach places a high value on professionalism and punctuality, setting clear expectations from day one.
Sources suggest Flick was particularly unimpressed, recalling similar issues last season when Jules Koundé was repeatedly late, much to the frustration of the club’s former coaching staff. While it’s unclear what repercussions Fort may face, the incident serves as an early reminder that under Flick, standards will be enforced with little tolerance for complacency.
The timing of Héctor Fort’s late arrival couldn’t have been worse. While it’s been speculated that his attendance at Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party might have led to his tardiness, that explanation doesn’t hold much weight when other teammates managed to show up on time after the same event. Discipline is non-negotiable under Hansi Flick, and this slip-up sends the wrong message.
With Fort currently trailing both Jules Koundé and Eric García in the right-back hierarchy, and with Barcelona actively searching for a natural player in that position, every training session is a crucial opportunity to make an impression. Any lapse in professionalism, no matter how small, risks setting him further back in the pecking order. While this incident is unlikely to derail his career entirely, it certainly won’t do him any favours at a time when competition is fierce and standards under Hansi Flick are uncompromising.
At just 18, soon to be 19, Fort has time on his side, but if he hopes to remain part of Flick’s plans and carve out a long-term future at the club, he’ll need to mature quickly and show he’s ready for the step up, not just technically, but mentally too.