The federation has already announced that it was a major injury to the Barcelona player’s right knee.
With hands over his face, eyes turned to the heavens and a tremor of emotion, Gavi walked toward the dressing rooms of the Municipal José Zorrilla. It was the moment the team doctor’s whistle cut through the hush of the stands, signaling that he had to leave the field during the first half of the Spain vs. Georgia qualifier for Euro 2024. The scene was raw, the crowd watching intently as the young midfielder, known for his tireless energy, faced a difficult moment that could shape the path of Spain’s campaign.
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Gavi’s knee gave way around the 22nd minute of the opening half after a contact-free situation misjudged by the player. He had not been involved in a fierce aerial duel, yet a misstep left him on the turf, wincing as the pain shot through the joint. Minutes earlier, an opponent had clipped him in a way that required treatment outside the playing area, a layoff that stretched the tension in the stadium. Upon returning to the field, he moved with guarded purpose, only to be struck again by the same troublesome sensation, forcing him to retire from the match for good.
The exact nature of the injury remained unclear in the immediate moments, but the images and words from the medical team suggested serious concern. He was clearly in distress, eyes lifted toward the sky in a moment of vulnerability, then disappearing behind the tunnel to the locker rooms. The Zorrilla crowd rose in a chorus of support, offering encouragement as the team doctor signaled the need for extensive assessment. Spain’s number 9 left the pitch under a cloud of uncertainty, and it was anticipated that medical tests would be conducted in the hours ahead to determine the damage and the prognosis. For both La Roja and Barcelona, the development was a worry-filled thread in a long season already packed with bouts of overload and travel. The federation had already acknowledged a significant knee injury, a statement that amplified concern across the country given the club and national team’s reliance on his pace, pressing style, and relentless drive. In a moment when cautious reporting is standard practice, the use of the term “serious injury” carried a heavy weight for supporters craving clarity and reassurance.
Ferran’s gesture
moments after the scoreboard reflected Spain’s ascent to 2-1 against Georgia, Ferran Torres approached the corner of the pitch and celebrated with a shirt bearing Gavi’s name, a visual tribute that drew the attention of the Zorrilla crowd. The image underscored the unity within the squad and the emotional stakes of the moment as teammates and fans rallied around a player who had just been forced into a painful pause in his season.
De la Fuente, a day earlier: ‘He is physically gifted, he always wants to play’
“Gavi is hyperactive. He always wants to play. Good players never rest. That is why they are good and special. You have to measure those efforts, but when you’re young… Besides, you’re physically gifted. We are still in November, a time when the players are still fresh,” Luis de la Fuente had remarked to reporters the day before, when the coach addressed the heavy load of matches and minutes accumulated by the squad. The comment framed the tension between youthful enthusiasm and the need for careful management as Spain sought to maintain momentum and balance across a demanding schedule. The midfielder’s energy had been a defining feature of his rise, and this moment highlighted the fragility that can accompany such intensity, even for a player who has already proven his value on the world stage.
Source: Goal