Worst-case injury scenario for Gavi! Barcelona confirm young midfielder tore ACL on Spain duty and now faces knee surgery

The 19-year-old was forced from the field in tears on Sunday when representing Spain in their Euro 2024 qualifier with Georgia. It quickly became apparent that serious damage had been done, with the Barca starlet now facing a long road to recovery.

There is every chance that Gavi’s 2023-24 campaign has been brought to a close after being forced onto the sidelines and under the knife. Barca have not put a timescale on his recovery as yet, but he will be missing for several months.

Barcelona have said in a statement on the club’s official website: “Tests carried out on Monday morning on the first team player Gavi have shown that he has a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus. The player will have surgery in the coming days after which a new medical update will be released. Gavi was injured on international duty for Spain in the final game of the team's European Championship qualifying group against Georgia. The Barca midfielder was forced off after just 26 minutes of the encounter.”

Gavi has taken in 111 appearances for Barcelona since stepping out of their famed La Masia academy system. He has seven senior goals to his name at club level, along with 27 international caps, and is tied to a contract through to 2026 that includes a €1 billion (£876m/$1.bn) release clause.