Barcelona midfielder Gavi is about for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament damage in Spain‘s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win in opposition to Georgia on Sunday, numerous sources have informed ESPN.
A Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) spokesperson confirmed they’ve already transmitted the analysis to Barça, who will perform their very own assessments on Gavi’s proper knee Monday.
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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made 9 adjustments to the La Roja aspect that beat Cyprus final Friday, with Gavi one in all simply two gamers, together with Actual Sociedad‘s Robin Le Normand, to maintain their place.
Nonetheless, he was pressured off halfway by way of the primary half after touchdown awkwardly when controlling the ball moments after a collision with Georgia’s Luka Lochoshvili, which was unrelated to the damage.
Gavi, 19, was capable of limp off the pitch with Spain’s medical workers, however the expression on his face recommended he feared the worst.
“It looks like it’s a serious injury,” De la Fuente informed reporters after the sport. “He is really worried. It’s the most bitter victory I’ve ever experienced in my life.
“We’re ready for the definitive assessments. He’ll go to Barcelona now with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for additional assessments. We’re destroyed. It is as if now we have misplaced the sport.”
He added: “Gavi is damaged, destroyed … he did not suppose these items might occur to him. After they haven’t occurred to you earlier than, you possibly can suppose you are not weak, however we’re very fragile. After all he’s unhappy, we’re all damaged. There isn’t a rationalization aside from these items occur in life.
“Yes, the toughest day in this sport for me, the most bitter.”
The Spain gamers additionally appeared conscious of the extent of the damage, with Barça teammate Ferran Torres celebrating his purpose, which made it 2-1, by holding up Gavi’s No. 9 shirt.
“It was an important win to end the qualifying phase well, but it is a bittersweet feeling due to the injury to Gavi,” Torres mentioned.
“Hopefully he can recover as soon as possible. We don’t know extent of the injury, we will have to see in the coming days, but knowing Gavi, what a warrior he is, we think it could be serious.”
Gavi has been a daily for Barça and Spain this season, lacking solely two video games — each for his membership — by way of suspension.
However De la Fuente refuted options that the damage was a results of Gavi taking part in too many video games.
“It’s an accident, it’s bad luck. It doesn’t have anything to do with the accumulation of games,” he mentioned.
“He was in perfect condition. He hasn’t played before the international break because he was suspended. He was fresh and in great shape. There was no problem.”
Gavi’s significance for Xavi Hernández’s Spanish champions has grown resulting from long-term accidents to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, with the coach calling him the “heart and soul of the team.”
Pedri returned to motion simply earlier than the worldwide break after two months out, whereas De Jong is in line to make his comeback in opposition to Rayo Vallecano this weekend.
Barça then face FC Porto, Atlético Madrid and shock LaLiga leaders Girona at dwelling in three doubtlessly season-defining video games.
Spain had already booked their place at subsequent summer time’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany previous to Sunday’s match in opposition to Georgia, however nonetheless ended their qualifying marketing campaign with a win on the José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid.
Le Normand gave them a fourth-minute lead just for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to attract the guests stage simply six minutes later.
Torres restored Spain’s lead within the fifty fifth minute and Lochoshvili accomplished the scoring, heading teenager Lamine Yamal‘s cross into his personal internet with slightly below 20 minutes remaining.