Gavi ready for Barcelona return against Sevilla after seven months out

Gavi will return to Barcelona’s matchday squad for the La Liga match against Sevilla on Sunday, after receiving medical clearance from a long-term knee injury.

The 20-year-old midfielder underwent arthroscopy surgery to repair a meniscus tear, which he sustained in training in August. The club confirmed that the Spain international is ready to return after more than a week of training alongside his teammates.

“I am happy. Maybe he can play some minutes,” said Barca head coach Hansi Flick about the return. “It’s good to have him back. You can see in training what he adds, but we need to take care of him.

“He is on the right path. It is all step by step. The last injury was not easy for him. We also know he has to be here for some years, so we will keep that in mind. He has the right attitude.”

Gavi has only featured in two La Liga games this season, and his last involvement was in August 2025, against Levante. He was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Club sources expect Gavi will only play Sunday if the unfolding of the game against Sevilla allows him to, but his recovery is a significant boost for a Barcelona side that has struggled a lot with injuries this season.

The midfielder was out for 10 months between November 2023 and September 2024 with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. After his return, he was a regular in Flick’s title-winning side last season, appearing 42 times in all competitions.

His return is a timely boost to Barcelona’s midfield department following Frenkie de Jong’s hamstring injury, which The Athletic reported on February 26 was set to keep the 28-year-old out for six weeks.

Gavi has made 155 appearances for Barca since breaking into the first team from the youth system in the 2021-22 season. He has contributed 10 goals and 18 assists in that time.

Barcelona are four points clear at the top of the La Liga table. Second-place Real Madrid host Elche today.