ekane
Spain’s manager has refused to close the door on the Barcelona midfielder’s chances of making the summer squad, saying only time will tell whether Gavi is ready.
There is something quietly moving about watching a footballer claw his way back from a serious injury, only to find himself staring at one more obstacle. For Gavi, that obstacle is time, and right now, there is just enough of it to keep hope alive.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente addressed the situation at a press conference this week, and his words, while carefully chosen, carried genuine warmth. Gavi was not included in the latest national squad for friendly matches against Serbia and Egypt, a decision that raised questions about his prospects for the World Cup in North America this summer. De la Fuente was asked directly whether the door was still open.
“We have spoken with Gavi on different occasions,” he said. “I sent him a message of joy and congratulations when he returned to play. He is a very special player for us. We can expect anything from Gavi in a positive way. Let’s see how it evolves. It’s a long time, two months. Then we will assess in two months. Today it is premature to make this analysis. But we would all like him to be with us.”
That last line said rather a lot. Managers rarely speak that openly about players on the fringes of selection unless the affection is genuine, and in Gavi’s case, it clearly is.
The Barcelona midfielder has had a wretched stretch of it by any measure. A knee injury sidelined him for the better part of a year, and his return to club football, while welcome, has been cautious and gradual. Getting back onto the pitch was one battle. Convincing a national team manager that you are ready for a major tournament, physically and mentally, is quite another.
To his credit, Gavi has been open about his ambitions. He wants to be at that World Cup. He has said as much. And at 20 years old, representing Spain on the grandest stage of all is not simply a career milestone. For someone who has already shown what he is capable of at club level, it feels more like unfinished business.
De la Fuente, for his part, is not the sort of manager to make rash promises. His answer was measured but it was not dismissive, and that distinction matters. The door has not been shut. Two months, he said, and then a proper assessment. That is a reasonable position, and for Gavi, it is enough to keep working.
Whether the Barcelona man makes the final cut will depend on how the next few weeks unfold. Form, fitness, and a little fortune will all play their part. But at least he knows the conversation is still ongoing.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings