'He was broken, shattered' — Spain manager de la Fuente reacts to Gavi injury

Spain's Gavi and manager Luis de la Fuente | Imago

'He was broken, shattered' — Spain manager de la Fuente reacts to Gavi injury

Ayoola Kelechi 23:58 - 19.11.2023

La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente opens up about Gavi's unfortunate injury

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has given insights into Barcelona midfielder Gavi’s state of mind after the youngster suffered a major knee injury during La Roja’s last Euro 2024 qualifying game against Georgia. 

Gavi suffers possible cruciate injury on international duty

Gavi suffered a suspected ACL rupture after being forced off in the 26th minute against Georgia, and his international head coach believes that the youngster was distraught after the injury. 

Speaking after the game against Georgia, de la Fuente told reporters, "He [Gavi] was broken, shattered, he didn't understand that this could happen to him.

"It's the hardest and most bitter moment I've ever experienced in soccer. He stepped badly and his knee is gone." 

De la Fuente blames Gavi injury on bad luck

De la Fuente also blamed the injury on bad luck saying that he understood why people would be angry at his handling of the youngster’s game time and he felt sorry for Gavi. 

"Football is a risky activity, uncontrollable,” de la Fuente said, continuing, “I am very sorry for the player. Really. I understand everyone's disgust, of Barcelona, of the player, of the Federation. We feel it in the soul."

Gavi is expected to miss up to eight months due to the injury, and will miss the rest of the LaLiga season and also possibly the 2024 European Championships. 

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