Key football player injured
“Bitterest victory of my life” – Spain in shock
Status: 20.11.2023 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Gavi is threatened with the European Championship exit – the young Spanish star was seriously injured in the European Championship qualifier against Georgia
Quelle: dpa/Manu Fernandez
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Spain easily qualified for the European Championships in Germany. However, the national team’s victory against Georgia came at a high price: young star Gavi left the pitch in tears, seriously injured. His coach becomes emotional.
Gavi immediately indicated that something bad must have happened. The young Spanish star made the sign for a substitution towards the bench before falling onto the grass. The 19-year-old landed awkwardly after receiving the ball in the European Championship qualifier against Georgia (3-1) and twisted his knee. The FC Barcelona striker left the pitch in tears.
An examination brought sad certainty: Gavi tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Not only will he be out for the rest of the season, but the European Championship in Germany is also in danger for the striker. A torn cruciate ligament means a downtime of six to eight months; the European Championship starts on June 14, 2024 with the opening game in Munich.
Coach Luis de la Fuente and Gavi making the substitution
Quelle: AFP/CESAR MANSO
After the game, Spain’s national coach Luis de la Fuente spoke of a “serious injury” and the “bitter victory of his life”. Gavi will now be further examined in detail in Barcelona. The injury also shocked Gavi’s teammates. Ferran Torres held up his teammate’s jersey after scoring to make it 2-1.
Gavi was already an integral part of the national team at the age of 19
The failure is a heavy blow for the European Championship title candidate. The technician, who was honored as the best young star in 2022, is one of the key players in the Spanish team, which won 3-1. secured group victory ahead of Scotland against Georgia. Despite his young age, the game against Georgia was his 27th international match and he has scored five goals for the team so far. Gavi is also an integral part of the Barca team. He played 12 of 13 games for the champions in La Liga this season.
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Against Georgia, Robin Le Normand gave the Spaniards an early lead, which Georgia’s superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from SSC Napoli immediately equalized. After the break, Fernan Torres and Luka Lochoshvili secured the host’s victory with an own goal.
