From friendship to rivalry: Héctor Fort’s heartfelt night back at Barcelona

November 4, 2025 Oliver Obel

Speaking to DAZN, in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo, Fort revealed that Flick sought him out after the final whistle to check in on his progress.
“He’s a warm person, he cares about me and he was asking me about the injury I had,” Fort said. “He asked me if I was happy at Elche and I appreciate his interest.”

The short but sincere exchange, which took place on the pitch moments after Elche’s 3-1 defeat, highlighted the close link that remains between Fort and his parent club. Barcelona are said to be monitoring his performances closely, seeing the Elche loan as an important step in his development toward a long-term role in the first team.

Facing a familiar friend

The match was also special for Fort for another reason — he faced his longtime friend and fellow La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal for the first time as opponents.
“I don’t see Lamine like everyone else. I see him as my friend,” Fort said with a smile. “We’ve been together for many years, we’ve shared a lot, and I was excited to face him. I don’t think I did too badly. I caught him a bit tired.”

Yamal had opened the scoring early in the first half before Ferran Torres and Raphinha sealed the win for Barcelona. Elche’s Rafa Mir struck before halftime, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Still, for Fort, the night carried significance beyond the scoreline. “It always helps to have the extra motivation of playing in front of my fans and my former teammates, but it’s a shame about the result,” he said.

Peña’s “special and strange” return

Goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who started the match for Elche, described the experience as both “special and strange.” Having spent much of his career in Barcelona’s academy and senior setup, returning to play against the club he still calls “home” was an emotional moment.

“It’s strange to play here in another jersey,” Peña told reporters. He recalled that this wasn’t his first time facing Barça, having done so while on loan at Galatasaray. After the game, he shared warm embraces with former goalkeeping colleagues Marc-André ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczęsny, Joan García, and Diego Kochen. “I have many friends, but I train with the goalkeepers every day and it was really nice to see them,” he added.

Peña made three saves on the night but was unable to prevent Barcelona’s victory. Despite the defeat, his composure and leadership were evident.

Why Elche Was the Right Move

Earlier this season, Peña explained that his decision to join Elche was heavily influenced by head coach Eder Sarabia.
“When I found out about this situation mid-summer, Eder was aware of it, and that was decisive because he told me he was sure about it and that I could wait,” Peña said.

He added that Sarabia’s footballing philosophy felt familiar. “We know how they want their goalkeeper to play, similar to Barça’s philosophy. And I’m also at home, having been away for many years, and all of that made it a good decision.”

Looking Ahead

Both Fort and Peña are expected to gain crucial top-flight experience with Elche this season, who currently sit mid-table in La Liga. Their performances will continue to be closely tracked by Barcelona’s coaching staff.

Flick’s outreach to Fort signals that the young full-back remains firmly in the club’s long-term plans. For the 18-year-old, proving he can handle La Liga’s toughest wingers — including friends like Yamal — will be key to earning a future call-up.

As for Peña, establishing himself as a consistent number one could pave the way for a return to Camp Nou next season. For both, this loan spell represents more than just playing time — it’s an audition for the next chapter of their Barcelona journey.

Sources: DAZN, Mundo Deportivo, and Reuters.