Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted he had goosebumps after witnessing the reception Gavi received from the fans as the Spaniard made his long-awaited return after an 11-month injury.
The midfielder returned in Barcelona’s 5-1 win against Sevilla in LaLiga to keep them top of the table ahead of Real Madrid.
Gavi, who suffered an ACL tear while representing Spain last November, made his comeback by coming on as a substitute in the final 10 minutes of the game at the Olympic Stadium.
The 20-year-old replaced Pedri and was handed the captain’s armband, receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the home crowd.
Despite being sidelined for nearly a year, Gavi quickly showed he hadn’t lost any of his intensity, diving straight into tackles and bringing energy to the match.
Speaking after the match, manager Flick said: “I am happy for this result and especially for Gavi.
“It’s really amazing when you see the atmosphere in the stadium and the fans.
WELCOME BACK, GAVI! pic.twitter.com/RDrF2jE0MZ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2024
“It was goosebumps, unbelievable, and I like this.”
“The intensity he gave in the match when he came in was good.
“But it’s normal, it’s his way to play. Sometimes it’s OK to be more calmer, but it’s not his style of play.”
Gavi added: “I have been dreaming about this for many months and I am grateful to my teammates who made the process easier for me.
“The hardest thing is not playing, watching from the outside. It’s frustrating, it’s tough. You have to enjoy every moment and [time out] allows you to value the things you have. I feel fortunate to be back.
“I missed playing football the most, this is my life, it is what I have always done. When all the fans and your teammates like you and give you that reception, you feel very lucky.
Barcelona had a dominant first half against Sevilla, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and Pedri adding another goal, securing Barca’s ninth win from 10 league matches.
In addition to Gavi, Fermin Lopez also returned from injury in the Sevilla match, while Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo were named on the bench after recent fitness issues.
Flick confirmed that all players will be available if needed for the big upcoming fixtures against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and then Madrid.
“They are ready, they will be ready,” Flick said.
“This is for me, our job is to prepare well for the next match.
“Getafe, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid… it doesn’t matter. The team will give 100% every match, every minute, they will be ready.”
