Spain midfielder Gavi had to be substituted after an apparent right-leg injury in the first half of his team’s final European Championship qualifying game against Georgia on Sunday.
Gavi was named as a starter for the dead-rubber clash at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid, but only lasted 26 minutes before succumbing to injury.
The 19-year-old went down after twisting his knee awkwardly and was reduced to tears as he limped off the pitch and straight down the tunnel. He was replaced by Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet.
The 19-year-old Barcelona player was in tears when he limped off the field in the 24th minute in Valladolid.
GAVI IS INJURED – even though i dislike Barca, this is not funny. These injuries are evidence to show that these players are not robots and cannot play a million games a season. We’ve lost so many players to injury this season already coz of this. pic.twitter.com/IV3Cc9vtRx— 155A (limited) (@issa_umar54500) November 19, 2023
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Gavi took a hard hit to the side of his right knee when he and a Georgia player collided a few minutes before he had to come off. He kept playing and appeared to hurt the same leg while trying to control a ball. After that he immediately signaled to the team that he could not continue.
Speaking to host broadcaster TVE at half-time, Spain national team doctor Oscar Luis Celada admitted he was “very concerned” about Gavi.
Such was the severity of Gavi’s injury that club and country teammate Ferran Torres dedicated his goal to the midfielder after putting Spain 2-1 up on the night, holding aloft the teenager’s shirt to the crowd.
The fear is that Gavi has torn his ACL and could now miss the rest of the season, and Pedri is clearly thinking about his good friend.
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“We are with you brother! Much strength Gavi I know you’ll come back stronger than ever!”
Gavi has become a key player for Barcelona and for Spain. He started every game for Spain at last year’s World Cup, and his goal against Norway in October secured a 1-0 win that qualified his nation for Euro 2024 next year.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - Associated Press)