LALIGA
Gavi injury update: Barcelona announce surgery was a success
The 19-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on international duty with Spain and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi underwent surgery on Monday as he begins his recovery from a serious knee injury.
The 19-year-old suffered a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing for Spain. He landed awkwardly in the national team’s game against Georgia earlier this month and was immediately substituted.
On Tuesday Barcelona released a brief statement on social media, confirming that the player’s surgery had gone well.
“First team player Gavi had a successful operation on his torn right knee anterior cruciate ligament plus a meniscus suture today. Supervised by the Club’s Medical Services, Doctor Joan Carles Monllau performed the intervention at Hospital de Barcelona.”
When will Gavi be back for Barcelona?
ACL injuries are among the most serious that a soccer player can sustain and the prognosis for Gavi is not good. Medical experts typically advise that such injuries require between eight and ten months for a full recovery.
This suggests that the 19-year-old will be out of contention for Barcelona for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
The injury also looks set to keep Gavi out of the Spain squad for next year’s European Championships. The international tournament will be held in Germany next summer and Gavi, who is already a key part of Luis de la Fuentes’ team, is now a major doubt.
“This is the ugly part of football. This is the most bitter victory I have ever experienced in my life,” the Spain head coach said after the win over Georgia.
“It is a very difficult moment for Gavi, Barcelona, the national team and for me — it seems as if we have lost the game.”
The Athletic reports that sources within the Spanish FA do not believe that Gavi will return in time for the Euros.