0
0
In Spain‘s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Georgia, midfielder Gavi completely tore his anterior cruciate ligament, according to Barcelona, and he will have surgery shortly.
The 19-year-old played the entire 90 minutes for La Roja in their 3-1 victory over Cyprus on Friday, and Luis de la Fuente started him in the starting lineup for Valladolid’s meeting with Georgia, their last Group A match.
But with twenty-six minutes remaining, Gavi twisted his knee trying to control a long ball, winced as he limped across the pitch, and was eventually replaced by Oihan Sancet.
Immediately following concerns that the teenager might have suffered a season-ending injury, Barcelona has now confirmed the worst, stating that Gavi has suffered a full tear to his ACL.
The lateral meniscus of the previous Kopa Trophy winner has also been injured. An operation is planned for the next several days, following which a new report will be made public.
“Tests carried out on Monday morning on the first team player Gavi have shown that he has a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus,” the club said in a statement. “The player will have surgery in the coming days after which a new medical update will be released.”
The La Liga winners said, “The Andalusian midfielder is a firm favourite among the fans,” and gave supporters the opportunity to post a note of support for the young player on their website.
“Gavi gives everything he has when wearing a Barca shirt, and his spirit and tenacity on the pitch define him as a player. That’s why his injury is a major setback for all Barca fans.”
Read More: Kylian Mbappe Clarity: Defusing Speculation on His Paris Saint-Germain Journey
The Spain international is anticipated to spend at least seven and maybe up to nine months in the treatment room, missing the remainder of the domestic season, while Barcelona made no assumptions regarding the duration of Gavi’s absence.
Spain is also worried that they won’t be able to use the Barcelona player in the Euro 2024 tournament, which they had already qualified for before losing to Georgia 3-1 on Sunday thanks to goals from Robin Le Normand, Pau Torres, and an own goal by Luka Lochoshvili.
La Blaugrana might potentially get up to €5 million (£4.4 million) in compensation, according to Mundo Deportivo, after the Spanish Football Federation reportedly infuriated them by endangering Gavi in a very meaningless match.
Gavi, who made his debut in the 2021–22 campaign, has been a key member of Xavi’s system this year, making 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting on another.
Since joining Barcelona in 2015, the La Masia alumnus has made 111 appearances for the Catalan giants across all competitions, tallying seven goals and fourteen assists while also taking home the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophies in 2022.
Due to a back issue, Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen withdrew from the Germany squad, raising two new injury concerns for the team. Gavi is one of them.
Prior to the start of domestic football, which sees Xavi’s team travel to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday lunchtime, Frenkie de Jong (ankle) and Sergi Roberto (calf) have also been under the care of the Barcelona doctors. However, it is thought that both players and Ter Stegen will be fit for that match.
