Barcelona's fury and FIFA's money - the aftermath of Gavi's injury

Spain is going to the EURO 2024 in Germany, they won the first place in their group and will be among the top seeded clubs at the draw, but all those accomplishments are leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. There was no celebration, not even a hint of a smile after the game with Georgia. In the dressing room there is silence, tears from Pablo Gavi and the question: "Why me?"

The ligaments in Gavi's right knee were injured, he left the stadium on crutches and was urgently transferred to Madrid for examinations. He will be absent between six and eight months due to a rupture of the cruciate ligament, and that angered everyone in Barcelona. They are outraged at the Spanish federation and point the finger at coach Luis de la Fuente. After he was appointed as the new coach after the World Cup in Qatar, he forced Gavi. To the limit. He played every game for him, it was known that he would be in the starting line-up also against Georgia, in a match that essentially could not change anything. It bothered everyone in the club, he was also asked by journalists why the boy from Sevilla will not be spared at least in this meaningless game.

"Gavi is extremely hyperactive. The best players don't want to rest, they want everything immediately and now. He has incredible energy, that's why he plays so much and so well. Only exceptional players can sustain that pace. He is young and physically gifted, surely someone else could not withstand that pace", said Luis de la Funte.

Silence of the Spaniards - Gavi's injury is serious

Gavi started his 27th match for the Spanish national team. Since his debut, he hasn't missed a single one: he started 23 times and came off the bench four more times. Now he is facing a longer break. Due to the decision not to rest him - only Robin le Normand started the match from the players who started against Cyprus a few days earlier - Luis de la Fuente found himself at the epicenter of the fury from the Catalans.

"I understand the complaints from Barcelona. But if it wasn't Gavi, it could have been someone else. It can happen in a La Liga game, in training or in any other situation. Sometimes we don't realize the risk that every moment carries with it. It was an accident, but Gavi was perfectly prepared. This is the most complicated, bitterest day of my life. A very difficult moment for the player, for Barcelona, ​​for the RFEF and also for me. In the dressing room it looked like we had lost. That's the ugly part of football, I feel so sorry for Gavi. I'm not thinking about the European Championship, only about his health" said the disturbed De la Fuente.

Those words will hardy be any consolation for Barca coach Xavi, who will miss one of his most important players basically until the end of the season. His team is already playing worse than in the same period last season, and now this. The small comfort for this injury will be the money which will FIFA give to Barcelona for each day of his absence. That rule was established ten years ago on the eve of the World Cup in Brazil, and the daily fee is 20,548 euros. So, in six months it would be 3,082,200, in eight months 4,315,080. The maximum for injuries is 7,500,000 euros. Nice for Laporta and his financial woes, but for Xavi this handicap is lot more than money.