Barcelona midfielder Gavi is expected to miss the rest of the 2023-24 season and next summer’s European Championship after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Gavi suffered the injury during Spain’s Euro qualifier against Georgia on Sunday and Barcelona sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they did not have permission to discuss this information, expect the 19-year-old to be sidelined until at least the summer. Spanish FA sources, also speaking anonymously for the same reason, do not believe Gavi will be fit for the Euros in Germany either.
Advertisement
Barcelona added in an official statement that Gavi suffered an associated injury to the external meniscus in the knee and that he will undergo surgery in the coming days, after which they will confirm the anticipated duration of his absence.
Gavi landed awkwardly after jumping to control the ball in the 26th minute of the clash in Valladolid and left the pitch in tears.
“This is the ugly part of football. This is the most bitter victory I have ever experienced in my life,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said after the match.
“It is a very difficult moment for Gavi, Barcelona, the national team and for me — it seems as if we have lost the game.
“I am very sorry (for Gavi). Let’s wait for the tests to confirm the extent of the injury.”
The Spain boss 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.”
Gavi has played in 15 matches for Barcelona to date this campaign across La Liga and the Champions League while he has also been a regular starter at international level.
Spain had already booked their place at next summer’s European Championship ahead of the game against Georgia, which they won 3-1.
Gavi and Real Sociedad central defender Robin Le Normand were the only two players to be selected in the starting line-up for the match having also played from the start away to Cyprus three days earlier.
Le Normand gave Spain the lead after four minutes but Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalised. Ferran Torres restored Spain’s lead in the second half — the Barcelona forward celebrated by raising the shirt of Gavi — before Luka Lochoshvili scored an own goal for Georgia.
“We can’t celebrate as we would have liked. Gavi’s injury is a hard blow. I’m really gutted,” Le Normand said after the game.
(Photo: Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images)