FC Barcelona midfielder Gavi faced a significant setback while representing Spain on international duty during their Euro 2024 qualifying match against Georgia on Sunday, November 19.
The emerging 19-year-old star suffered a right knee injury midway through the first half after landing awkwardly while controlling the ball.
This happened after a collision with Georgia center-back Luka Lochoshvili, although the crash was unrelated to the subsequent knee injury. The Spaniard was substituted in the 26th minute of the match.
Spain ultimately emerged victorious, securing a 3-1 win at the Estadio José Zorrilla in Valladolid, Spain.
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Gavi's knee injury a brutal blow
The fact that Spain had already secured qualification for the continental tournament over a month ago adds a bitter note to Gavi's injury.
The occurrence of a serious injury in a virtually meaningless match intensifies the disappointment surrounding the midfielder's situation.
Gavi is a pivotal player for both his club and national team, boasting 27 caps for Spain and 111 appearances for Barcelona in his young career.
Gavi could be out for the season
Early reports stated that Gavi could be out for the season after sustaining an ACL tear on his right knee, as per Spanish news outlet Diario AS.
Sources within the Spanish national team have reportedly confirmed that the dynamic young player experienced "the typical snap in ligamentous tears."
In addition to the prospect of missing the remainder of the 2023-24 season with Barcelona, Gavi may be sidelined for La Roja in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris next summer.
How long does an ACL tear heal?
Recovery time for an ACL tear typically ranges from eight to nine months, though some individuals may experience a faster recovery within six months, according to UCHealth.
It is not uncommon for athletes to take a year or even more off to ensure a thorough recovery and to engage in proper rehabilitation to strengthen the knee.
The extended period allows for proper healing and reduces the risk of reinjury, particularly concerning the demands placed on the knee in sports activities.
Previously, an ACL rupture was often considered a career-ending blow for athletes. However, advancements in modern medicine have enabled players to regain a performance level similar to that before the injury.
Barcelona's current manager, Xavi Hernandez, is a prime example of a player who tore his ACL and successfully returned to peak form. As a 25-year-old midfielder, he suffered a right ACL tear in late 2005.
Despite this setback, Xavi made a triumphant comeback, becoming a crucial player for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team in the subsequent years before transitioning to a successful managerial role.
NFL legend Tom Brady faced a similar challenge when he tore his right ACL in the first game of the 2008 NFL season.
Nonetheless, Brady went on to achieve remarkable success, winning four more Super Bowls and earning three Super Bowl MVPs after his comeback from the severe injury to cement himself as the consensus greatest quarterback of all time.
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