Returning Barcelona star concedes 'I've been dreaming about this moment'

Barcelona talent Gavi admitted he had been "dreaming" about his Barcelona comeback after setting foot on the pitch for the first time in 11 months on Sunday night.

Gavi appeared off the bench for the final seven minutes of the 5-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga and was even handed the captain's armband by Pedri when replacing his fellow midfielder.

"I'm very happy to be back with the team. I've been dreaming about this moment for many months and I'm grateful to everyone because they've made it much easier for me," he told reporters.

"The worst thing is not playing with the team. Watching the team from the outside is very hard and you have to enjoy every moment and value things. I feel very lucky to be here.

"Football is my life, what I've been doing all my life and I missed it. When all the fans and teammates love and value you, you feel very lucky."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick described Gavi's return as "incredible", given the reaction from fans.

"When you see the fans like that, it gives you goosebumps. I love it," he said.

"I think Sevilla was the target. His dream was to play for five minutes, and it has become a reality. We are all happy, you, the fans, the club, the players...he has a great impact on the team. The intensity he has shown has been very good, it is his way of playing."

Gavi, now 20, had been a teenage revelation after breaking into the Barca first-team in 2021. He played 96 times across just two seasons, as well as establishing himself as a Spain international.

But it was on international duty in November 2023 when the youngster suffered his ACL tear, landing awkwardly after jumping in an attempt to control the ball during the first half of Euro 2024 qualifier. He was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season, as well as the tournament, which Spain won. Gavi would also have been eligible to be part of the Olympic gold medal-winning squad.

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