Barcelona left fuming at serious Gavi injury on Spain duty and point finger at manager Luis de la Fuente

The 19-year-old midfielder limped out of a Euro 2024 qualification clash with Georgia in tears after suffering supposed knee ligament damage. The talented teenager is likely to sit out the rest of the 2023-24 campaign once an ACL problem is confirmed.

That setback represents a serious blow for the player, his club side and national team. Defending La Liga champions Barca will be hit particularly hard as they are set to be without a key part of Xavi’s first-team plans. Mundo Deportivo claims those at Camp Nou are less than impressed at seeing that situation play out.

The Blaugrana feel unnecessary risks were taken on Gavi’s fitness in a match that had nothing riding on it – with Spain having already qualified for next summer’s European Championship. The talented youngster was one of just two players to retain their starting berths from a meeting with Cyprus last week.

Marta Ramon is also reporting that Barca hold De La Fuente responsible for Gavi’s injury. There was always the chance that fatigue could take its toll in a competitive game, with Barcelona looking for answers as to why common sense did not prevail – with difficult questions now being asked of the RFEF. The manager, though, has rejected their 'complaints', saying: "I understand Barca's complaints, but, if it wasn't Gavi, it could have happened to someone else. This can happen in a La Liga match, in training or in any situation. Sometimes we don't realise the risk that each moment entails when you put on your boots. It was an accident, a misfortune, but Gavi was perfectly ready to play."