Barcelona's Gavi suffers ACL injury in Spain qualifier - sources - ESPN

Barcelona midfielder Gavi is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Spain's 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win against Georgia on Sunday, various sources have told ESPN.

A Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) spokesperson confirmed they have already transmitted the diagnosis to Barça, who will carry out their own tests on Gavi's right knee Monday.

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made nine changes to the La Roja side that beat Cyprus last Friday, with Gavi one of just two players, along with Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand, to keep their place.

However, he was forced off midway through the first half after landing awkwardly when controlling the ball moments after a collision with Georgia's Luka Lochoshvili, which was unrelated to the injury.

Gavi, 19, was able to limp off the pitch with Spain's medical staff, but the expression on his face suggested he feared the worst.

«It looks like it's a serious injury,» De la Fuente told reporters after the game. «He is really worried. It's the most bitter victory I've ever experienced in my life.

»We are waiting for the definitive tests. He will go to Barcelona now with [Spain sporting director] Albert Luque for further tests. We are destroyed. It's as if we have lost the game."

He added: «Gavi is broken, destroyed… he didn't think these things could happen to him. When they have not happened to you before, you can think you're not vulnerable, but we are very fragile. Of course he is sad, we are all broken. There is no explanation other than these things happen in life.

»Yes, the toughest day in this sport for me, the most bitter."

The Spain players also seemed aware of the extent