Barcelona’s rising star, Gavi, faced a devastating blow as he endured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Spain’s qualifier against Georgia. The 19-year-old midfielder’s promising streak was abruptly halted after an awkward landing following a collision, leaving him sidelined with the ACL injury, casting a shadow over his immediate future in the sport.
Barcelona’s midfield talent, Gavi, is anticipated to endure an extended period on the sidelines following a reported anterior cruciate ligament injury during Spain’s victorious 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying match against Georgia on Sunday, as disclosed by various sources to ESPN.
A spokesperson from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has verified the transmission of the diagnosis to Barcelona. The club is slated to conduct their independent tests on Gavi’s right knee on Monday.
During the game, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente introduced nine alterations from their previous match against Cyprus. Gavi, one of the two retained players alongside Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand, was unfortunately forced off the field in the first half following an awkward landing after a collision with Georgia’s Luka Lochoshvili. Notably, the injury was unrelated to the earlier collision.
Despite managing to leave the pitch with Spain’s medical staff, the 19-year-old midfielder’s expression indicated a sense of concern regarding the severity of the injury.
“It looks like it’s a serious injury,” De la Fuente told reporters after the game. “He is really worried. It’s the most bitter victory I’ve ever experienced in my life.
“We are waiting for the definitive tests. He will go to Barcelona now with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for further tests. We are destroyed. It’s as if we have lost the game.”
He added: “Gavi is broken, destroyed … he didn’t think these things could happen to him. When they have not happened to you before, you can think you’re not vulnerable, but we are very fragile. Of course he is sad, we are all broken. There is no explanation other than these things happen in life.
“Yes, the toughest day in this sport for me, the most bitter.”
The Spain players also seemed aware of the extent of the injury, with Barça teammate Ferran Torres celebrating his goal, which made it 2-1, by holding up Gavi’s No. 9 shirt.
“It was an important win to end the qualifying phase well, but it is a bittersweet feeling due to the injury to Gavi,” Torres said.
“Hopefully he can recover as soon as possible. We don’t know extent of the injury, we will have to see in the coming days, but knowing Gavi, what a warrior he is, we think it could be serious.”
Gavi has been a regular for Barça and Spain this season, missing only two games — both for his club — through suspension.
But De la Fuente refuted suggestions that the injury was a result of Gavi playing too many games.
“It’s an accident, it’s bad luck. It doesn’t have anything to do with the accumulation of games,” he said.
“He was in perfect condition. He hasn’t played before the international break because he was suspended. He was fresh and in great shape. There was no problem.”
Gavi’s importance for Xavi Hernández’s Spanish champions has grown due to long-term injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, with the coach calling him the “heart and soul of the team.”
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