Gavi’s injury: Spain’s victory over Georgia turned into a nightmare

Barcelona midfielder Gavi, 19, will be on the sidelines for a long time after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifying match (3-1) against Georgia.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that they had communicated the diagnosis to Barça and that they would carry out their own tests on Gavi’s right knee.

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente made nine changes from the team that beat Cyprus last Friday and Gavi was one of two players to retain his place, along with Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand.

However, he had to leave midway through the first half after colliding with Georgia’s Luka Lochoshvili and falling awkwardly to the ground while controlling the ball.

Gavi, 19, was able to limp off the field with the Spanish medical team, but the look on his face showed his injury was serious.

“THE MOST PAINFUL VICTORY I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE”

De la Fuente told reporters after the match:

“It seems like a serious injury. He is really worried. This is the most painful victory I have ever experienced in my life. We are waiting for the definitive tests to be carried out. Now [İspanya sportif direktörü] He will travel to Barcelona to carry out more tests together with Albert Luque. We are devastated. “It’s like we lost the game.”

“Gavi is devastated, devastated… He didn’t think things like this could happen to him. When this has never happened to you before, you may think that you are not vulnerable, but we are very fragile. Of course he’s upset, we’re all hurt. There is no other explanation than the fact that things like this happen in life. Yes, for me this is the hardest day, the most painful day in sports.”

GAVI ANGRY TO THE FEDERATION

Barcelona cannot understand how the midfielder had to play in an unimportant match when the team was qualified for the European Championship.

The news that Gavi had suffered a serious injury to the cruciate ligament in his right knee caused great anger at FC Barcelona.

Beyond this misfortune, the club believes that Gavi’s participation in the match against Georgia was not necessary. Because whatever the result, even if the national team played to be seeded, it had the right to participate in the Euro Cup that would be held next summer.

COMPENSATION WILL BE RECEIVED FROM FIFA BUT…

For Barça, the money it can get from FIFA for the long-term injuries of its players -could amount to four or five million euros- It is no consolation that they are missing a key player in Xavi Hernández’s plan to compete in major tournaments.

Curiously, Gavi, along with Le Norman, is the only player in De La Fuente’s squad for the game against Georgia who does not rotate. Furthermore, Gavi has not missed a single official match since he debuted for Spain. He played in all of them.