Gavi enters the 2025/26 season with immense motivation and a strong desire to prove himself. The Andalusian midfielder endured a challenging past year, losing his starting spot for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
A Rollercoaster Season
Gavi returned to the field on October 20, 2024, after a serious knee injury. After a promising start, he delivered a brilliant performance in the Super Cup, scoring and assisting against Athletic Club and winning a penalty in the final against Real Madrid. However, a nasty head injury against Alavés on February 2 again disrupted his rhythm.
Towards the end of the season, Gavi reappeared in the lineup, with Hansi Flick utilizing him in a double pivot in midfield, notably in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and in the final league matches. He played excellently but concluded the entire season with modest numbers: 42 games, 1688 minutes, 3 goals, and 3 assists.
Flick’s Initial Doubts & Stiff Competition
Gavi currently does not feature in any of Flick’s projected starting elevens for the 2025/26 season. The coach reportedly favors Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, with Fermín López also battling for minutes. The situation is further complicated by the return of Marc Bernal and the readiness of Marc Casadó after injury.
While both Flick and Gavi described last season as “transitional,” the reality is harsh: competition in Barcelona’s midfield is brutal. The club is also considering buying a winger, which could further impact midfield playing time.
Gavi’s Determination to Be Unstoppable
This intense competition is why Gavi has been training individually for weeks. He wants to be in top form from the very start of pre-season and convince Flick that he deserves a place among the key players. “Many people think I can’t play football; they have no idea,” Gavi declared back in April before a Champions League match against Dortmund.
He still has a high reputation at both Barcelona and the national team, but Gavi knows that without regular playing time, his spot for the 2026 World Cup is not guaranteed. While Luis de la Fuente has called Gavi up again, competition in Spain’s midfield is fierce. The last squad included Isco, Pedri, Merino, Fabián, Baena, Olmo, and Fermín.
However, Gavi is not giving up. His goal is clear: to start the season strong and reclaim the starting spot he virtually had secured under Xavi. It will be a tough fight.
