Gavi is embraced by his Barcelona team-mates and coaches as the midfielder visits their training ground for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury on Spain duty

• Barcelona midfielder Gavi picked up a serious knee injury on international duty
• The Spaniard is set to miss the rest of the 2023-24 campaign due to the problem 
• Trent and Bellingham can play together but can’t get in each other’s way – IAKO

Barcelona’s squad greeted and consoled Gavi after the Spanish midfielder visited their training ground for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury.

The midfielder, 19, tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the first half of Spain’s clash with Georgia on Sunday evening.

Gavi left the pitch in tears after pulling up and clutching his knee just 26 minutes in the 3-1 win at Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Vallodolid, forcing a substitution from head coach Luis de la Fuente. 

The manager cut a sombre figure after the final whistle as he described Gavi’s injury as the ‘ugly part of football’.  ‘It is a very difficult moment for Gavi, Barcelona, the national team and for me, it seems as if we have lost the game,’ De la Fuente said, before sharing that the match had been ‘the most bitter victory of (his) career’. 

And, on Tuesday, after subsequent confirmation from Barcelona about the severeness of the problem, the midfielder paid a visit to his team-mates.

Barcelona ‘s squad greeted and consoled Gavi after the Spanish midfielder visited their training ground for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury

Gavi tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the first half of Spain’s clash with Georgia

He was seen hobbling around on crutches before he received a warm embrace from boss Xavi 

In a video shared by the club, he was seen hobbling around on crutches before he received a warm embrace from boss Xavi.

He then headed into the gym area and received hugs from other members of the coaching staff, along with players such as Marco Alonso.

His fellow youngsters Lamine Yamal, 17, and Joao Felix, 24, also embraced him, while they gave the 19-year-old a kiss on the cheek.

As he made his way around, Gavi was then given a standing ovation by the whole first team squad, before he shared a quiet moment with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.  

In an official statement from Barcelona on Monday, the club confirmed the worst-possible outcome for the injury.

‘Tests carried out this morning have shown that first team player Gavi has a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the external meniscus,’ their statement read.

‘In the next few days he will undergo surgical treatment. At the end of the intervention, a new medical report will be provided.’

Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix were among his team-mates to embrace him on Tuesday

The 19-year-old midfielder cut an inconsolable figure as he was walked off the pitch for Spain

While Barcelona wait for confirmation on exactly how long their starlet will be sidelined for, it is likely that the player could be ruled out for the remainder of the season. 

The injury is an additional blow for the Spanish national team, with Gavi also a doubt for next summer’s European championship and the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants are believed to be furious at Spain’s decision to include their player in the line-up for the match against Georgia, with the side already qualified for next summer’s tournament. 

Although in line for a possible £3.5-4.3million (€4-5m) pay-out from FIFA in compensation for the injury of the first-team starter, the club are concerned by what the loss of the teenager may do for their ability to compete across all competitions. 

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