Surgery required for Barcelona’s Gavi after knee injury for Spain

Barcelona’s teenage star, Gavi, will require surgery after sustaining a major knee injury during Spain’s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia on Monday. The 19-year-old was forced off in tears midway through the first half, after appearing to tear his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damage his meniscus.

Tests have since confirmed Gavi suffered a complete rupture of his right ACL, as well as an injury to his lateral meniscus. Barcelona announced the midfielder will go under the knife in the next few days before more information is provided on his recovery timeline. However, the ACL tear is likely to rule Gavi out for a significant portion of the season.

The injury came as a devastating blow for both club and country. Gavi has emerged as one of Spain’s brightest prospects over the past year, earning 19 appearances for Barcelona and the national team already this campaign despite being just 17 when he made his senior debut in August 2021.

Both Barcelona manager, Xavi and Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed their sorrow, with de la Fuente describing it as the “ugly side of football.” While Spain qualified for Euro 2024, the sight of Gavi leaving the pitch in tears put a dampener on the achievement.

All eyes will now be on how long the talented young Spaniard is sidelined. Gavi will be a huge miss for Barcelona as they endure an inconsistent domestic season. For Spain, his absence potentially robs them of a key figure for next summer’s Euros. Both parties will anxiously await further news after the imminent surgery.