Football News Update: Gavi to Miss Euro 2024 Due to Knee Injury
In a significant blow to Spain’s Euro 2024 hopes, Barcelona midfielder Gavi is set to miss the upcoming tournament in Germany this summer. The 19-year-old Spanish sensation, who has already earned 27 caps for his national team, suffered a serious knee injury in November that ended his season and ruled him out of the European Championship.
During Spain’s 3-1 qualifying win against Georgia on November 19, Gavi went down holding his knee after landing awkwardly while trying to control the ball. “He says it was not the knock but that he trod badly and his knee went,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, adding that the youngster was “emotionally broken, destroyed” by the injury.
“I understand Barca’s complaints, but if it’s not Gavi it could have happened to someone else. This can happen in a La Liga match, in training or in any situation. Sometimes people don’t realise the risk that every moment entails from the moment you put on your boots.”
Barcelona later confirmed that their academy graduate had torn his ACL, and he wouldn’t be back until the start of the 2024/25 season. The Catalans were said to be angry with the national team coach for playing Gavi in the match, as La Roja had already sealed their Euro qualification three days earlier against Cyprus.
Prior to his injury, Gavi had played 999 minutes with Barcelona this season alone, the second-highest total among the club’s outfield stars. The talented midfielder, who has scored five goals for Spain, has featured in 111 senior matches for Barca since breaking into the first-team in 2021.
His absence will be a significant blow to Spain’s hopes at Euro 2024, as the national team looks to bounce back from their disappointing performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on Gavi’s recovery as he aims to return to action at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
๐ Source