Barcelona midfielder Gavi is among the high-profile stars missing out on Euro 2024 this summer.
The 19-year-old Spanish sensation has already made 27 appearances for his country despite his young age but isn’t in Germany.
Why is Gavi not at Euro 2024?
Gavi suffered a serious knee injury in November that ended his season and ruled him out of the Euros.
During the first half of Spain’s 3-1 qualifying win against Georgia on November 19, the teenager went down holding his knee.
He appeared to land awkwardly after trying to control the ball, with Gavi then seen leaving the pitch in tears.
“He says it was not the knock but that he trod badly and his knee went,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
“He’s [emotionally] broken, destroyed.”
Barcelona later confirmed that their academy graduate had torn his ACL, and he wouldn’t be back until the start of the 2024/25 season.
The Catalans were said to be angry with Spain coach De la Fuente for playing Gavi in the match.
La Roja had already sealed their Euro qualification three days earlier against Cyprus and yet Gavi was one of just two players to start both matches despite fears over his workload.
De la Fuente however said: “I understand Barca’s complaints, but if it’s not Gavi it could have happened to someone else.
“This can happen in a La Liga match, in training or in any situation.
“Sometimes people don’t realise the risk that every moment entails from the moment you put on your boots.
‘”It was an accident, a misfortune, but Gavi was perfectly ready to play.”
Gavi had played 999 minutes with Barcelona this season alone before his injury – the second-highest total among the club’s outfield stars.
The youngster, who has scored five goals for Spain, has featured in 111 senior matches for Barca since breaking into the first-team in 2021.