Barcelona confirm Gavi ruled out for up to five months after knee surgery

Barcelona have confirmed that midfielder Gavi will spend the next four to five months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.

Gavi has not featured since August. The 21-year-old had a medical procedure on Tuesday to address a medial meniscus injury, which had failed to heal with conservative treatment.

The decision means he will not return to action until early 2026, which is a massive blow for both the player and the club.

He previously endured a lengthy spell out after tearing his cruciate ligament in late 2023.

Having worked tirelessly to regain full fitness, he now faces another frustrating recovery period.

Barcelona had initially hoped surgery could be avoided and suggested last month he might only miss several weeks, but medical opinion shifted after further examinations.

A club statement confirmed: “First team player Pablo Paez Gavira ‘Gavi’ has had an arthroscopy to resolve a medial meniscus injury, which was sutured to preserve the meniscus.

“Recovery time is estimated at around four to five months.”

The midfielder had impressed in pre-season before his setback, and the timing of this latest lay-off is particularly concerning given that 2026 is a World Cup year.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will now anxiously monitor his recovery, with fears the absence could compromise Gavi’s chances of making the tournament squad.

For Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, the absence leaves a gap in the heart of midfield just as Barcelona face a testing schedule.

The Blaugrana travel to Real Oviedo in La Liga on Thursday before hosting Real Sociedad at the weekend and then welcoming Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next Wednesday.

To make matters worse, Barca will also be without Fermin Lopez for around three weeks after the midfielder picked up a muscle injury in Sunday’s victory over Getafe.