20 November 2023 , 07:23
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Barcelona star Gavi has suffered a serious knee injury in Spain's Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia - and the midfielder could miss the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old left the pitch in tears after appearing to twist his knee awkwardly while attempting to control the ball and manager Luis de la Fuente admitted after the game that he was very concerned about Gavi's injury.
"It looks like it's a serious injury," De la Fuente told reporters. "He is really worried. It's the most bitter victory I've ever experienced in my life. We are waiting for the definitive tests. He will go to Barcelona now with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for further tests.
"We are destroyed. It's as if we have lost the game. Gavi is broken, destroyed ... he didn't think these things could happen to him. When they have not happened to you before, you can think you're not vulnerable, but we are very fragile.
"Of course he is sad, we are all broken. There is no explanation other than these things happen in life. Yes, the toughest day in this sport for me, the most bitter." Barcelona have now confirmed that Gavi suffered a "complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus" and that he is set to undergo surgery.
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As a result, he now looks set to miss the remainder of the season with Barcelona and may not recover in time for Euro 2024 and the Olympics. De la Fuente also hit back at suggestions Gavi should not have played against Georgia, insisting: "It's an accident, it's bad luck.
"It doesn't have anything to do with the accumulation of games. 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."
Early signs suggest Gavi has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)Spain went on to beat Georgia 3-1, ensuring they topped their group ahead of Scotland, with the score 1-1 when Gavi suffered his injury. Defender Robin le Normand gave them an early lead, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted an equaliser for Georgia.
Ferran Torres then put Spain back in front in the second-half before Georgia defender Luka Lochoshvili scored an unfortunate own goal. After scoring, Torres celebrated by holding up Gavi's shirt as a show of support for his Barcelona teammate.
"It was an important win to end the qualifying phase well, but it is a bittersweet feeling due to the injury to Gavi," Torres said after the game. "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."