Speaking on El Larguero, former Barcelona defender and club legend Gerard Pique has advised young midfielder Gavi to not rush his recovery from the ACL injury in order to play in the Euros during the summer.
Gavi ruptured his ACL during Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday night. The 19-year-old is out for the remainder of the season and is expected to be sidelined for a period of eight to nine months, potentially even ten.
Pique tells Gavi to focus on recovery
Having had a stellar career, Pique understands the motivation for someone like Gavi to push himself to be available for the Euros next summer, especially considering that it will be his first ever.
But the former Barcelona captain called on the La Masia graduate to not push things as he still has a long career ahead of him.
“The important thing now is that he recovers well, that he should not be in a hurry. It’s possible that mentally he’s thinking about the European Championship and the Olympic Games, but I advise him to only come back when he’s well,” Pique said.
“I know how important the European Championship is, and even more so the first one, but he should take it easy because he has at least 15 years left in his career,” the legendary defender added.
Lamenting over Gavi’s injury, Pique added: “Gavi’s injury was very bad luck. The numbers that he had accumulated with Barça and the Spanish national team were incredible, so the injury was a shame.”
Revealing his admiration for the 19-year-old midfield prodigy, Pique added: “Of all the young players that are now in the Barça squad, I prefer Gavi. What he has done at 19 years old is brutal.”
