An FC Barcelona first team heavyweight will be out of action for up to six weeks according to MARCA, which cited anonymous sources.
Gavi was one of Hansi Flick’s most impressive players in preseason, and indeed the top scorer during a short tour of Asia which took in friendlies in Japan and South Korea.
The 2023/2024 season was full of ups and downs for the Andalusian as he made a return from an ACL rupture in November 2022 which resulted in him being ruled out for the rest of the season and missing Spain’s Pedri and Lamine Yamal-inspired European championship triumphs.
Gavi lost his place as an undisputed starter under previous head coach Xavi Hernandez to summer signing Dani Olmo on Hansi Flick’s watch, while close friend Fermin Lopez provided further competition.
Heading into a fresh campaign in 2025, though, Gavi looked to have a spring in his step and capable of recovering the kind of form which once made him Europe’s Golden Boy.
FC Barcelona made an announcement on Gavi
At the end of last month, things turned sour when the club announced that Gavi would miss the 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano with a knee niggle.
Worrying to both the player, FC Barcelona and its fans, reports soon spread that this had occurred in the same knee where Gavi ruptured his ACL, and he is no close to returning for Sunday’s clash with Valencia.
On Friday, MARCA explained that there was a meeting with the player and club staff where it was decided that his treatment will be conservative - though another operation isn’t ruled out.
FC Barcelona is expected to be without Gavi for some time
The Madrid daily newspaper also explained that Gavi woin’t be able to don Blaugrana in a competitive capacity until after the next international break whether he decides on consvertaive treamtent or decides to have surgery.
Another meeting on that matter will be held in the next few days, but Gavi is looking at around six weeks out meaning he won’t play any part in Barca’s next three home matches in the league nor its Champions League debut away at Newcastle United.
A possible target date is the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26, but even making that mammoth clash is viewed as “complicated”.
Furthermore, Gavi would be highly unlikely to start such a high-octane fixture after what would be around two months off the pitch despite the derby often exacting his best performances.
What does this mean for FC Barcelona’s midfield?
Moving forward, there is now a two-horse race for the central attacking midfield berth in head coach Flick’s starting XI.
That’s between Dani Olmo and Fermin, yet with the former struggling to hit his top level so far in 2025/2026, the latter star linked with Chelsea this summer could come to the forefront.
On Sunday, against Valencia, it remains to be seen who Flick takes a punt on and awards the first chance to lock the position down for FC Barcelona, which will try to take three points at the Johan Cruyff Mini Estadi before just 6,000 fans.