At the end of September, Gavi’s season hit another painful pause. The 21-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee and underwent surgery—just as he was trying to rediscover his rhythm after a string of previous injuries. It was a brutal setback for a player once hailed as the future heartbeat of Barça’s midfield.
Now, five months later, there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.
In recent days, Barcelona’s official channels have shared encouraging images of the La Masia graduate back in training, working alongside his teammates and edging closer to full fitness. His long rehabilitation process is nearly complete, and his return to competitive action is no longer a distant dream—it’s approaching.
A Careful, Calculated Comeback
That said, there will be no rushing him back.
That said, there will be no rushing him back.
The club’s medical and coaching staff are determined to handle his reintegration with extreme caution. His workload will be increased gradually, giving his knee time to adjust to the increased intensity. The idea is simple: protect the player now to avoid another setback later.
As a result, fans shouldn’t expect to see Gavi thrown straight into the next fixtures. The likely target for his return is after the March international break. Inside the club, however, excitement is already building at the thought of seeing his fire and aggression back on the pitch.
World Cup Motivation
Beyond club ambitions, there’s a much bigger prize in sight—the upcoming World Cup in the United States this summer.
Gavi knows that regaining peak form could secure him a seat on that flight. According to reports, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has remained in close contact with him throughout his recovery. The national team boss reportedly values Gavi highly and is prepared to be patient, keeping the door open for his return.
Barcelona, meanwhile, is also focused on the psychological side of his comeback. The pressure is immense—fans expect brilliance, the media demands answers, and Gavi himself is desperate to prove he still belongs among the elite. The club wants to ensure that hunger doesn’t turn into harmful urgency.
A Fight for His Place
There’s another layer to this story: competition.
Before his injury, Gavi wasn’t a guaranteed starter. Under Hansi Flick, midfield spots are fiercely contested. Pedri remains untouchable, while Frenkie de Jong is firmly in the mix. Emerging talents like Marc Bernal also complicate the equation.
Gavi will have roughly two months to reassert himself—both for Barça and for Spain.
But if there’s one thing working in his favor, it’s his character. His relentless energy, edge, and warrior mentality are qualities Barcelona have sorely missed. And in a team searching for bite and intensity, that might just be the difference-maker.
The countdown to his return has begun.