Gavi

2023 - 1 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "PlanetFootball"

Gavi, Pedri and the hope that Barcelona can rule in the post-Messi era (PlanetFootball)

The landscape of Spanish football appeared very different back then. Valencia were the reigning La Liga champions, their second title in three years, while ...

They play in the Barcelona way. It was Gavi that scored the opener, before assisting Robert Lewandowski for the second. There remain major question marks over the health of the club’s finances. Less than 12 months have passed since Barca thrashed Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu and there have been plenty of bumps along the way since then. But the Barcelona where they’ve developed into two of the best young players in Europe is not that club. Here, losing by the same scoreline, they were made to look old, leggy and past their best as Gavi and Pedri zipped around them with vim and vigour. This heralded a new era for the Catalan club, the greatest in their history. Barcelona haven’t won La Liga in three years, their longest run without a league title since Gavi was born. The day before the match we thought about how to create overloads with four midfielders. That’s the day a youngster named Pablo Martin Paez Gavira was born in the province of Seville. And now too Gavi and Pedri. Messi became the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in all competitions.

Why Xavi swapped Pedri for Gavi on Barcelona's left – and how it ... (The Athletic)

Xavi's decision worked perfectly as Gavi scored one and set up two goals in Barcelona's 3-1 Spanish Super Cup win against Real Madrid.

Atletico’s right-back [Nahuel Molina](https://theathletic.com/football/player/nahuel-molina-G7jYbyvyhEat2WkY/) was tempted forward and Barcelona sprinted into the space he vacated. That affords Xavi tactical options — albeit within a consistent framework, which increasingly looks like the most harmonious Barcelona side for many years. He’s unaware of Pedri behind him and Gavi crosses for Pedri to finish. Again, an attack down the left and a far-post tap-in. Granted, Kroos is filling in at the far post. Gavi was free to run through and square for a Lewandowski tap-in. Seven days after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano, they defeated [Real Madrid](https://theathletic.com/football/team/real-madrid/) 3-1 to win the Super Cup, bringing Xavi Hernandez his first trophy as Barcelona manager. Again, the right side of the opposition defence has been dragged up, then bypassed. The second goal was familiar from the Atletico game. But it was Gavi who finished the move, after Lewandowski showed great awareness of his run and Gavi burst into space before Carvajal could sprint inside and recover. The difference, though, was that whereas last week it was Pedri playing that role, this time it was That, in turn, allows Gavi to run in behind, where he is found by Pedri’s pass.

Xavi: Barcelonas rising star Gavi has unlimited potential and natural ... (Planet Sport)

Barcelona boss Xavi insists he will never tire of praising the talents of teenage midfield sensation Gavi.

"I already said this many times but I never get tired of praising him. "He was gifted with leadership skills. He projects that courage and that rage when he plays football and it's something special to see.

'What a player' – Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stunned by ... (talkSPORT.com)

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has lauded talented teenager Gavi, following his performance in Barcelona's Supercopa triumph over Real Madr.

[Keep up to date with all the latest](https://talksport.com/football/1282444/transfer-news-gossip-rumours-premier-league-manchester-united-liverpool-chelsea-arsenal-ronaldo-messi-mudryk-fernandez-felix/) [news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog](https://talksport.com/football/1282444/transfer-news-gossip-rumours-premier-league-manchester-united-liverpool-chelsea-arsenal-ronaldo-messi-mudryk-fernandez-felix/) [Barcelona](https://talksport.com/sport/football/team/113060/fc-barcelona/) until the summer of 2026, [having previously been linked with Liverpool](https://talksport.com/football/1036921/liverpool-chelsea-transfer-news-barcelona-wonderkid-gavi/). The record was previously held by Xavi but now goes to Gavi who has found the back of the net at the age of just 18 years and 163 days.

Gavi Silences Golden Boy Award Critics With Real Madrid ... (Forbes)

Gavi silenced critics that scoffed when he received the Golden Boy award with a masterclass in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid on Sunday.

"When you see him compete like that...the heart, soul and character that he plays with are contagious for the rest of the team. Yet while Gavi has no ceiling, he is evidently keeping his feet on the ground. "He's a born leader, too, that all comes naturally to him - and at the age of 18. "I know I can still improve a lot. With he and Pedri leading the way, exciting times lay ahead for fans of Barca with the Messi era I have said it many times, but I don't get tired of praising him.

Xavi insists he'll never tire of talking up Gavi as he praised ... (Goal India)

Xavi Hernandez heaped praise on Barcelona midfielder Gavi and hailed his leadership skills on the pitch despite being only 18 years old.

[Golden Boy award in 2022](https://www.goal.com/en-qa/news/barca-starlet-gavi-beats-bellingham-musiala-and-camavinga-to-golden-boy-award-after-kopa-trophy-triumph/blt65a8d392a4a4b64b) piping Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Eduardo Camavinga. THE BIGGER PICTURE: Gavi has been a consistent performer for the Catalan giants ever since he was promoted to the senior side last season. Barcelona boss Xavi applauded the youngster's efforts and hoped that he never stops demonstrating courage on the pitch.

Real Madrid midfielder pulls Gavi's hair, Lewandowski intervenes to ... (Republic World)

Barca youngster Gavi got his hair pulled by Dani Ceballos during the Spanish Super Cup final held on Sunday in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid ...

This was also the first trophy for the team without the services of the Argentine great Lionel Messi, who left the club for PSG in 2021. That was the 35th overall title for Messi with Barcelona and also his last. It is pertinent to mention that this was the first trophy for the Camp Nou side under the mentorship of manager Xavi. Interestingly, Gavi was named the man of the match for his stellar show of picking up two assists and scoring a goal to hand Barcelona a 3-1 win in the Spanish Super Cup final. [Barcelona](https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/barcelona-beats-atletico-1-0-in-la-liga-despite-lewandowskis-absence-articleshow.html) since the Copa del Rey win in 2021 under former coach Ronald Koeman. While the 18-year-old scored Barca’s opening goal in the clash, he also contributed with assists as Robert Lewandowski scored the second goal, before Pedri found the back of the net.

WATCH: Disgraceful Dani Ceballos aggression towards Gavi caught ... (Football Espana)

Tempers tend to flare up during El Clasico and in some cases, the players go about ensuring that it happens anyway. During Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat to ...

While Gavi left Real Betis for Barcelona at just ten years of age, Ceballos continued through the ranks at the Benito Villamarin. The pair hail from the same part of the world, on the outskirts of Sevilla. Tempers tend to flare up during El Clasico and in some cases, the players go about ensuring that it happens anyway.

Gavi

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