Barcelona’s Gavi suffers ACL injury in Spain qualifier – sources،
Barcelona midfielder Gavi is set to be sidelined for a long time after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Spain’s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia on Sunday, reports various sources told ESPN.
A spokesperson for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that it has already passed the diagnosis to Barca, who will carry out their own tests on Gavi’s right knee on Monday.
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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente makes nine changes La Roja team that beat Cyprus last Friday, with Gavi one of only two players, along with Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand, to retain their place.
However, he was forced off the field midway through the first half after landing awkwardly while controlling the ball moments after a collision with Georgian Luka Lochoshvili, which was unrelated to the injury.
Gavi, 19, was able to limp off the field with Spanish medical staff, but the expression on his face suggested he feared the worst.
“It looks like it’s a serious injury,” De la Fuente told reporters after the match. “He is really worried. This is the bitterest victory I have ever experienced in my life.
“We are waiting for the final tests. He will now go to Barcelona with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for additional tests. We are destroyed. It’s like we lost the game. »
He added: “Gavi is broken, destroyed… he didn’t think these things could happen to him. When it’s never happened to you before, you may think you’re not vulnerable, but we are very fragile. Of course it is sad, we are all broken, there is no explanation other than these things that happen in life.
“Yes, the hardest day in this sport for me, the most bitter.”
Spain’s players also appeared aware of the extent of the injury, with Barça teammate Ferran Torres celebrating his goal, which made the score 2-1, by holding up Gavi’s No.9 jersey.
“It was an important victory to finish the qualifying phase well, but it’s a bittersweet feeling because of Gavi’s injury,” Torres said.
“I hope he can recover as quickly as possible. We don’t know the extent of the injury, we will have to see in the next few days, but knowing Gavi, what a warrior he is, we think it could be serious. “
Gavi has been a regular for Barca and Spain this season, missing just two matches – both for his club – due to suspension.
But De la Fuente refuted suggestions the injury was because Gavi played too many matches.
“It’s an accident, it’s bad luck. It has nothing to do with the accumulation of matches,” he said.
“He was in perfect condition. He didn’t play before the international break because he was suspended. He was fresh and in great shape. There were no problems.”
Gavi’s importance to Xavi Hernández’s Spanish champions has increased due to long-term injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, with the coach calling him the “heart and soul of the team”.
Pedri returned to action just before the international break after two months out, while De Jong is set to make his return against Rayo Vallecano this weekend.
Barça will then face FC Porto, Atlético Madrid and surprise La Liga leaders Girona at home in three potentially season-defining matches.
Spain had already booked their place in next summer’s Euro 2024 final in Germany ahead of Sunday’s match against Georgia, but still ended their qualifying campaign with victory at Valladolid’s José Zorrilla Stadium .
Norman gave them the lead in the fourth minute only for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to level the visitors six minutes later.
Torres restored Spain’s lead in the 55th minute and Lochoshvili completed the scoring, heading youngster Lamine Yamal’s cross into his own goal with just under 20 minutes remaining.
