Barcelona reveal Gavi suffered a complete tear of his ACL during Spain’s win over Georgia – with club ‘FURIOUS’ teenage star was risked with Euro 2024 qualification already sealed

• The average recovery time from the injury is between six and nine months 
• The 2022 Kopa Trophy winner is a lynchpin for both his country and Barcelona 
• Southgate’s loyalty to his players is an issue and a weakness – It’s All Kicking Off

Barcelona has confirmed that Gavi has suffered a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after withdrawing from Spain’s clash with Georgia in the first-half on Sunday evening. 

The 19-year-old left the pitch in tears after pulling up and clutching his knee just 26 minutes in the 3-1 win at Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Vallodolid, forcing a substitution from head coach Luis de la Fuente. 

The manager cut a sombre figure after the final whistle as he described Gavi’s injury as the ‘ugly part of football’. 

‘It is a very difficult moment for Gavi, Barcelona, the national team and for me, it seems as if we have lost the game,’ De la Fuente said, before sharing that the match had been ‘the most bitter victory of (his) career’. 

Spain’s FA (RFEF) confirmed that the midfielder was undergoing tests, stating that Gavi had suffered a ‘serious knee injury’ but that the federation had to wait to understand the extent of the damage. 

Gavi was pulled up by a gut-wrenching injury which saw the player clutching his knee in agony

The midfielder was forced off just 26 minutes into Spain’s 3-1 win against Georgia in qualifiers

The 19-year-old cut an inconsolable figure as he was walked off the pitch and head coach Luis de la Fuente said the night was ‘the most bitter victory’

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In an official communication from Barcelona, however, confirmed the worst-possible outcome. 

‘Tests carried out this morning have shown that first team player Gavi has a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the external meniscus,’ their statement read.

‘In the next few days he will undergo surgical treatment. At the end of the intervention, a new medical report will be provided.’

Whilst Barcelona waits for confirmation on exactly how long their starlet will be sidelined for, it is likely that the player could be ruled out for the remainder of the season. 

The injury is an additional blow for the Spanish national team, with Gavi also a doubt for next summer’s European championship and the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants are believed to be furious at Spain’s decision to include their player in the line-up for the match, with the side already qualified for next summer’s tournament. 

Although in line for a possible £3.5-4.3million (€4-5m) pay-out from FIFA in compensation for the injury of the first-team starter, the club are concerned by what the loss of the teenager may do for their ability to compete across all competitions. 

Gavi has had a starting place in all of De La Fuente’s international starting XI’s since the start of the season, and is considered undroppable by his Blaugrana head coach Xavi Hernandez too. 

Ferran Torres held up Gavi’s No 9 shirt in celebration after scoring international side’s second

Gavi has been a lynchpin for both his country and his club Barcelona this 2023-24 season

Head coach Xavi Hernandez places trust in the regular starter, who won 2022’s Kopa Trophy

The La Masia graduate has started all three of Barcelona’s Champions League ties, as well as all but three LaLiga matches of the current campaign – starting two on the bench and being brought on as a substitute, with only one match missed due to a yellow card suspension. 

A number of Gavi’s international team-mates paid tribute to the player after victory against Georgia, including goalscorer and Barca team-mate Ferran Torres, who held up the player’s No 9 shirt in celebration after netting Spain’s second. 

Torres said that Gavi’s absence meant the win was ‘bittersweet’, whilst Robin Le Normand lamented that the team were unable to enjoy the 3-1 triumph. 

‘We can’t celebrate as we would have liked,’ the scorer noted after bagging his debut international goal. ‘Gavi’s injury is a hard blow, I’m really gutted.’ 

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