Gavi, the rising genius of Spanish football

The "genius" Gavi, the youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish national team, booked his place in the "La Roja" squad a few months before the Qatar World Cup 2022, while the Barcelona player seeks to confirm that he has become an integral part of his country's team when he receives the Czech Republic in Malaga on Sunday, within The fourth round of Group B of the UEFA Nations League.

"Gavi review!"

The newspaper "Catalan Sport" titled yesterday after the wonderful performance of the "jewel" of Catalonia since the opening of the international window, and continued, "Once again, he presented a charming performance and led the squad to victory."

At the age of 17, midfield maestro Gavi dribbled small drops of his immense talent, but according to his coach Luis Enrique, he has more under his feet.

"I have the feeling that he is still unknown," the former Barcelona coach said after the 1-1 draw with Portugal on Friday, leaving the football fans' imaginations to see that they had seen nothing of the genius of this player.

He continued, "He doesn't just run, he fights, he's great defensively. In attack also he's good, he scores, he can kick with both feet...", and he is a "unique player".

The La Roja coach had praised his player after the 1-0 win in Geneva against Switzerland on Wednesday, saying, "No one can say that he does not like Gavi."

Record numbers

The young player from Andalusia, who was famous for playing with removed shoelaces and pressed his tongue to his cheek, continues to break records in the junior category, whether with Barcelona or in the national team.

On October 6, 2021, at the age of 17 years and 62 days, he became the youngest player to wear the shirt of his country in the semi-finals of the Nations League in a 2-1 victory over European champion Italy, breaking the previous record that held for nearly a century, recorded in the name of Angel Subieta Redondo in 1936, at the age of 17 years and 284 days, during a friendly 0-1 loss to Czechoslovakia.

At the Eden Arena in Prague last Sunday during the first leg against the Czech Republic, at the age of 17 years and 304 days, he became the youngest scorer in the history of his country by scoring a 1-1 equalizer (the match ended 2-2), smashing by seven days the previous record held by His Barcelona teammate Ansu Fati, who achieved this feat on September 6, 2020 in a 4-0 victory over Ukraine.

Burning through the stages thanks to his talent, he joined the ranks of the first team without going under the age of 21, prompting Josep Maria Artells to write in a column published on June 4 in the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, "He can spread all his talent, because he bears more responsibilities than Barcelona."

"unbelievable"

The young midfielder, who was pushed by Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez to play as a striker at the end of last season, starred during the previous three matches with "La Roja" in the UEFA Nations League 2022-2023, and dominated the "Benito-Viamarin" stadium against Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and he was the most player glow in Prague and Geneva.

After his two young colleagues extended their contracts, Gavi, who will turn 18 on August 5, is sitting at the table of discussions with Barcelona to extend his contract, which ends on June 30, 2023. 

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news