Barcelona’s talented midfielder Gavi was all smiles after finally making his long-anticipated return from injury during the team’s commanding 5-1 win against Sevilla on Sunday night. It was Gavi’s first appearance in nearly a year, following a severe ACL injury he sustained while on international duty with Spain in November last year.
The 19-year-old’s return came as a late substitution when coach Hansi Flick brought him on towards the end of the match. The comfortable scoreline allowed Gavi to make his comeback in front of an ecstatic home crowd at the Montjuic Stadium. In a symbolic gesture, he even took the captain’s armband from his close friend and teammate Pedri as he stepped onto the pitch.
Reflecting on his long-awaited return, Gavi expressed his joy and gratitude: “I’m very happy to be back with the team after so long. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for many months. I’m very grateful.”
Gavi Appreciates Warm Reception from Fans
Gavi was visibly touched by the rapturous reception from the home crowd. Speaking about the emotional moment, he said, “I felt very lucky. When all the fans and teammates love you, you feel very lucky.” The midfielder acknowledged the challenges of his long recovery period, saying that the hardest part of his absence had been “not being able to play, it is very hard to see it from the outside.”
He also shared the lessons he learned during his recovery: “You have to enjoy every moment and value things, that’s what I’ve learned.” Gavi, who has played football all his life, said he deeply missed being on the pitch, adding, “I’ve missed playing football, it’s what I’ve done all my life.” He also made sure to thank his teammates for their constant support throughout his recovery.
Pedri Praises Gavi and Reflects on His Own Performance
After the match, Pedri, who scored Barcelona’s second goal with a stunning shot from outside the box, was full of praise for Gavi, calling him a “hard-working man” and a “very great guy.” Pedri was thrilled for his friend, adding that Gavi “deserves this moment.” He also pointed out the love and admiration Gavi receives from fans: “You can tell that the fans love him very much.”
Reflecting on Barcelona’s dominant performance against Sevilla, Pedri stressed the importance of the victory ahead of tough upcoming fixtures. “Today we had to leave with a good feeling and the three points,” he said.
Pedri also revealed how an injury to Eric Garcia impacted his position on the field during the match. “I was a little further back than where Flick usually puts me,” he explained. As for his impressive goal, Pedri gave credit to the tactical advice from his coach: “The coach just warned us that they left space on the edge of the area, and I managed to take advantage of it.”
Barcelona’s Confidence Ahead of Key Matches
With this resounding win, Barcelona now sits three points clear of Real Madrid, adding even more anticipation to next weekend’s Clasico. Gavi’s return, coupled with Pedri’s excellent form, bolsters the team’s confidence as they prepare for crucial games, including a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. The young stars have shown their importance to the squad, and the fans eagerly await more outstanding performances in the weeks ahead.
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