One of the key figures in the FC Barcelona dressing room has a name, surname, and even a nickname: Pablo Páez Gavira, better known as ‘Gavi’. The Andalusian has endured a tremendously tough period for such a young footballer, suffering two severe knee injuries that even threatened his career. Yet he belongs to a special breed of player—resilient, stubborn, and full of self-belief.
Thanks to that determination, the hard work he has put in, and all the professionals around him, Gavi has rediscovered his joy on the pitch. He has unexpectedly emerged as one of the protagonists in Barcelona’s final sprint of the season.
Six consecutive starts—something unthinkable just a couple of months ago. His return was gradual, and at first, there was some confusion over why he wasn’t playing more. But Hansi Flick backed him when it mattered most. The German coach is one of his mentors (so much so that in derby photos against Espanyol, he is always seen wearing Gavi’s number 6 shirt).
“If I’m here, it’s because of my mentality. My family and the people at the club have helped me. The physios are the best in the world for me. The coach trusts me a lot, he’s like a father to me, and I’m very grateful. It’s not easy to put me back on the pitch after such an injury. Flick knows my talent and my mindset,” the Sevillian said after El Clásico.
On Vinicius Jr., he added: “What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. Vinicius is a fiery player, just like me. He’s a great footballer. He was saying something to the crowd, and I told him to shut his mouth,” explained Gavi, referring to the moment he was seen arguing with the Brazilian.
Finally, when asked who the two most dangerous players are when it comes to celebrating, Gavi was candid: “I’m very calm off the pitch. Lamine and Ferran are worse than me in the squad.”