Gavi's mom is worried, but that's football: "I always try to do my best"

Just two months ago (August 5) Pablo Martin Páez Gavira, better known as Gavi, turned 19, and he is already one of the most important players of Barcelona. He has two full seasons behind him in the first team of the Catalans, during which Xavi showed him immense trust.

Including the younger categories, in which he arrived in 2015 from Betis, the young Andalusian has been part of Barcelona for eight years - almost half of his life. And he doesn't even think about leaving the club.

"I would like to stay in Barcelona forever. I don't think I would be as happy anywhere as I am here," Gavi told the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

Last season, the super-talented teenager felt the high of winning the title, and he hopes that in the future he will also lift the cup intended for the European champion, which Barcelona have been waiting for since 2015, when they became continental champions for fifth time.

"Winning the Champions League is one of my dreams, probably the biggest. Lifting the Champions League trophy is the dream of every player who grew up in Barcelona."

'I had to lie that Messi is the best player in order to play for Barca'

The central midfielder of the Catalans imagined many times lifting the 'Ol' Big Ears' and visualizing events in his mind helps him prepare for the game better.

"Before important games, I imagine what could happen, I see myself scoring a goal. I always try to imagine the situation from which I score a goal before the game," reveals Gavi.

In 105 appearances for Barcelona so far, Gavi scored seven and assisted 14 goals. This season, he scored once and assisted once.

"My goal is to score 10 goals for Barcelona this season."

Comparing his last season's performances and the current campaign, Gavi points out that he has improved in winning loose balls, which is very important for his position in the team.

"Compared to last season, I have improved in winning the loose balls. I used to commit a lot more fouls, but I have really improved a lot in that sense also. Sometimes, when I watch the video of the game, I wonder how I could have done better moves. My mom worries, but that's football and I will always try to do my best and be a player who fights with his all".

UCL: Bellingham's beauty and Valverde's 'bomb' knock down Napoli

Barcelona's talented youngster highlighted Frenkie de Jong as a teammate very important for his career development.

"I really admire him, probably the most out of all the players in the team. When he's not on the pitch, you can really tell. Just like with Pedri. I was worried he might leave the club, I really didn't want him to leave, which I told him several times," Gavi stresses out, and his wish came true even though the Dutch representative was very close to leaving Barcelona on several occasions due to the unflattering financial situation in the club.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Tuesday

Union Berlin - Braga 2-3 (2-1)

/Becker 30, 37 - Niakate 41, Bruma 51, Castro 90+3/

Salzburg - Sociedad 0-2 (0-2)

/Oyarzabal 7, Mendez 27/

Copenhagen - Bayern 1-2 (0-0)

/Lerager 55 - Musiala 67, Tel 83/

Man.Utd. - Galatasaray 2-3 (1-1)

/Hojlund 17, 67 - Zaha 23, Akturkoglu 72, Icardi 81/

Lens - Arsenal 2-1 (1-1)

/Thomasson 25, Wahi 69 - Jesus 14/

PSV - Sevilla 2-2 (0-0)

/De Joong (p) 86, Teze 90+5 - Gudelj 68, El-Nesyri 87/

Napoli - Real Madrid 2-3 (1-2)

/Ostigard 19, Zielinski 54(p) - Vinicius 27, Bellingham 34, Meret 78/

Inter - Benfica 1-0 (0-0)

/Thuram 62/

Wednesday

19:45: (1.63) Atl.Madrid (4.00) Feyenoord (6.25)

19:45: (1.90) Antwerp (3.70) Shakhtar (4.40)

22:00: (3.00) Celtic (3.50) Lazio (2.45)

22:00: (2.40) Dortmund (3.50) Milan (3.05)

22:00: (2.50) Newcastle (3.60) PSG (2.90)

22:00: (2.20) Crvena Zvezda (3.50) Young Boys (3.45)

22:00: (5.40) RB Leipzig (4.10) Man.City (1.67)

22:00: (4.20) Porto (3.60) Barcelona (1.95)

***odds are subject to change***