Barcelona’s Gavi suffers ACL injury in Spain qualifier – sources

Barcelona midfielder Gavi is about for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Spain’s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win towards Georgia on Sunday, varied sources have instructed ESPN.

A Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) spokesperson confirmed they’ve already transmitted the prognosis to Barça, who will perform their very own checks on Gavi’s proper knee Monday.

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made 9 modifications to the La Roja facet that beat Cyprus final Friday, with Gavi considered one of simply two gamers, together with Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand, to maintain their place.

However, he was compelled 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 injury.

Gavi, 19, was capable of limp off the pitch with Spain’s medical workers, however the expression on his face advised he feared the worst.

“It looks like it’s a serious injury,” De la Fuente instructed reporters after the sport. “He is really worried. It’s the most bitter victory I’ve ever experienced in my life.

“We are ready for the definitive checks. He will go to Barcelona now with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for additional checks. We are destroyed. It’s as if we’ve misplaced the sport.”

He added: “Gavi is damaged, destroyed … he did not assume this stuff may occur to him. When they haven’t occurred to you earlier than, you may assume you are not susceptible, however we’re very fragile. Of course he’s unhappy, we’re all damaged. There isn’t any clarification apart from this stuff 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 injury, with Barça teammate Ferran Torres celebrating his objective, 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 stated.

“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.

But De la Fuente refuted solutions that the injury 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 stated.

“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 because of lengthy-time period 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 towards Rayo Vallecano this weekend.

Barça then face FC Porto, Atlético Madrid and shock LaLiga leaders Girona at house in three probably season-defining video games.

Spain had already booked their place at subsequent summer season’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany previous to Sunday’s match towards 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 degree simply six minutes later.

Torres restored Spain’s lead in the fifty fifth minute and Lochoshvili accomplished the scoring, heading teenager Lamine Yamal’s cross into his personal web with just below 20 minutes remaining.