Messi published a social media post congratulating Spain while noting that it will be a difficult final to get over. In the comments of that post, Gavi showed the utmost respect, writing “the number 1 always,” accompanied by a red heart emoji.

Even though Spain are in full celebration mode—where Marc Cucurella sang provocative songs—Gavi took the time to show respect. The heated exchange and sharp clash with opponents did not mean he stopped admiring who he considers the best soccer player of all time, someone who was part of his dream club, FC Barcelona.

Gavi vs Paredes?

Jokes about the clash also emerged during the celebrations. Gavi is well known for being a physical player who does not fear a fight or hard tackles—sharing similar characteristics with Leandro Paredes. While celebrating, Lamine Yamal was seen holding a sign.

The sign read “Leandro Paredes vs Gavi in La Velada del Ano,” referencing an amateur boxing event organized by Spanish streamer Ibai, where content creators and celebrities train to box—an event the young players are surely following closely.

No surprise in Gavi’s recognition

The show of respect came as no surprise. Although they never shared a locker room in Spain, Gavi grew up watching Messi’s most brilliant era at Barcelona. In fact, the Spaniard debuted for the first team during the 2021-22 season, the same season Leo departed for Paris Saint-Germain. Not even the joy of winning the World Cup dimmed the admiration he feels for one of his idols.

The signs of respect toward Argentina did not stop there. The Spanish right back, Pedro Porro, was also asked about the flow of the final and the “aggressive” playing style of Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Rather than fueling the debate, he chose to highlight Argentina‘s path.

“It is their way of playing and I don’t have to counter that. At the end of the day, they have been a great national team throughout the World Cup and showed it by coming back in matches,” he stated.

In a conversation with Mundo Deportivo, he added: “They also deserved to be in the final and the truth is that it was a very beautiful final. Luckily, it fell our way. Also, congratulations to them for the great work they have done throughout the World Cup.”

“Soirée of the Year VII: Paredes vs. Gavi,” the sign, which Fabian Ruiz first held before handing it to Yamal, read. Moreover, Yamal looked at the camera, pointed to his eye, and said: “We’ll see each other.”

Although it all happened in a festive mood, Spain‘s provocation was clear, as the postgame incident wasn’t forgotten. To the victor belong the spoils, and it’s clear Yamal, who won his first World Cup at 19, and Spain will be having the last laugh. Similar scenes were seen when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, as Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez celebrated with a baby doll featuring Kylian Mbappe’s face. Argentina also mocked Colombia’s fan song after their win at the 2024 Copa America.

Now, they are on the losing side and are getting a taste of their own medicine. Still, Argentines are used to far worse provocations in their soccer culture and have also been mocked by Germany after the 2014 World Cup final loss. It’s all give and take. This time, Argentina couldn’t get it done and must take it on the chin.

Context behind Yamal’s sign

The “Soirée of the Year” (La Velada del Año) is an amateur boxing event held by Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, in which social media celebrities from all over the world put on the gloves and box. The sixth annual edition will be held on July 25 in Sevilla, Spain.

Because the timing is too tight, the sign Yamal held during the 2026 World Cup parade was aimed at next year’s event, joking that Paredes and Gavi should battle it out in a boxing match in 2027. Even if they wanted to, though, it would be quite difficult for Paredes, who reportedly played through a rib injury at the 2026 World Cup, to participate.

For the time being, Paredes and Gavi have yet to break their silence and speak on the incident—if they ever do so—but it’s clear the rest of the players on Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning roster are taking it lightly and joking about the matter.

Spain celebrate, Argentina grieve

The celebrations are only beginning, and as they continue, it’s possible Argentina will be on the receiving end of more shots from the Spanish side. Buckle up, it’s going to be a long celebration on Monday in sunny and warm Madrid, as a rainy, cold, and gray Buenos Aires will hear the repercussions.

Gavi’s omission from Spain’s starting lineup is a tactical choice by manager Luis de la Fuente. Following the team’s opening match, De la Fuente has kept the midfielder on the bench. Nico Williams is not starting for Spain vs France either, which could also come as a shocking move.

Spain approaches the semifinal against France with a defined tactical identity, and manager Luis de la Fuente is relying on the same winning formula that has fueled their success. Also, Lamine Yamal is confident, as he already warned France on this game.

Gavi remains benched by Spain

The saying goes “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” and Spain has looked very solid without Gavi in the starting lineup. After all, there is a Ballon d’Or like Rodri commanding action, next to two great creators in Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo. More surprising than Gavi is the fact that Pedri is not starting for Spain either.

Olmo and Ruiz have more of a knack for goal than Pedri and Gavi, that’s the truth. When facing a juggernaut like France, who wants to win, not tie or lose, the more goalscorers possible the better. Ruiz scored in the quarterfinals against Belgium, and Olmo is constantly creating chances, as well as having the skill to shoot from long distance. Meanwhile, Les Bleus bench will also boast big names, with Desire Doue not starting for France.

Gavi is still a valuable asset for Spain vs France

Gavi has two key strengths to his game. First, he is a high-work-rate player, he leaves his all every single time he is on the pitch. He helps on defense and likes to throw deep passes between lines when attacking.

The second strength is his versatility. Gavi can play in all positions in the midfield, or even as a winger if needed. Hence, he provides a lot of tactical flexibility for De La Fuente if a super sub is needed.

“I dream of scoring the title-winning goal. I’ve always dreamed of scoring a bicycle kick in the World Cup final. They’re dreams, and I hope they come true. The opponent? I’d like Argentina because of Leo Messi,” Gavi told the media when asked about his ultimate World Cup scenario.

Manifesting a bicycle kick on soccer’s grandest stage is a tall order, let alone doing it in a World Cup final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Yet, football is built on such grand ambitions, and Gavi isn’t afraid to voice his.

As Spain and Belgium prepare for their third World Cup meeting, according to their head-to-head, and Gavi is pushing for a larger role on the pitch. The young midfielder has yet to crack the starting XI at any point during this tournament run.

Gavi stays locked in despite limited playing time

While the Barcelona star remains a highly dynamic attacking weapon for La Roja, his opportunities have been scarce in North America, logging just 77 total minutes on the pitch. Despite the limited role, he remains completely focused on making a difference the moment manager Luis de la Fuente calls his number against Belgium.

“It’s important that we all have things clear, whether we play or not. We have to represent the country through unity and with everyone contributing their bit,“ Gavi remarked.

Spain predicted lineup vs. Belgium

With the date, venue, and kickoff time locked in for Spain vs Belgium, De la Fuente is expected to deploy his absolute strongest lineup to counter a dangerous Belgian squad. Here is how Spain are projected to take the field for the quarterfinal blockbuster:

• Goalkeeper: Unai Simon
• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
• Midfielders: Rodri, Pedri, Alex Baena
• Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal

Gavi participated in a dynamic organized by streamer Ibai Llanos, where he made his predictions for the 2026 World Cup. Among the questions were the potential champion, the top scorer of the tournament, the breakout player, and the surprise team. When the moment came to choose the surprise team, Gavi did not hesitate to mention Ecuador.

“As a surprise team, I am going to tell you Ecuador. They have good players,” Gavi argued to support his answer. And one of those questions was also for the best player of the tournament, where he chose Lamine Yamal without hesitation.

Gavi’s complete prediction

Gavi‘s answers are not far-fetched at all, as they are responses that an average soccer fan would give, and while the pick of Lamine Yamal certainly gives people plenty to talk about due to him being so young, he is undisputedly one of the best players in the world, accompanied by a great national team.

Gavi’s complete prediction list:

• Winner: Spain
• Runner-up: Portugal
• Surprise team: Ecuador
• Top scorer: Mikel Oyarzabal
• Breakout player: Joao Felix
• Best veteran player: Neymar Jr
• Best player: Lamine Yamal

The numbers in Gavi’s career

It is worth remembering that Gavi remains one of those young talents at 21-years-old. His talent quickly caught the attention of several major clubs in Spain, until he entered La Masia, the youth academy of FC Barcelona, in 2015. He debuted with the first team in 2021, when he was just 17 years old, and since then, he has established himself as an important piece for the Catalan squad.

With Barcelona, he records 166 matches, 10 goals, and 16 assists, and he has conquered important titles at the club level, which are: three LaLiga titles, three Spanish Super Cups, and one Copa del Rey.

With Spain, he has accumulated 28 matches with five goals, participating in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he did not have a standout performance, and the 2023 UEFA Nations League title.

“It’s silly to compare him to Messi,” Gavi said during a post-match press conference following the 5-1 Copa del Rey win against Betis. “There will only ever be one Messi,” he added, emphasizing that such comparisons are premature and unnecessary.

Elaborating further on Messi’s legacy, Gavi acknowledged: “He is unique, just as there will only ever be one Xavi (Hernandez), one (Andres) Iniesta, or one (Sergio) Busquets. We have to chart our own path.”

Despite distancing himself from the comparison, Gavi did not hesitate to praise Yamal’s vitues. “Lamine is very talented,” he stated, before adding, “For me, he’s the best in the world right now… It’s clear that he has the potential to make a significant impact on the game.”

Lamine Yamal’s remarkable journey at Barcelona

At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has already made 75 official appearances for Barcelona. His debut came on April 29, 2023, when he replaced Gavi against Real Betis, making him the youngest player to ever feature for the club. Since then, Yamal has notched up 16 goals and 22 assists across La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup, helping his team secure two titles.

His rapid rise also earned him a spot in the Spanish national team, where he broke records by becoming the youngest-ever player and goal scorer at just 16 years and 57 days. Last summer, he also contributed to Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.

Messi’s achievements at 17

While Yamal’s accomplishments at 17 are impressive, it’s worth comparing his early career to Messi’s. At the same age, Messi was still in the early stages of his Barcelona journey. He had made his first official appearances but wouldn’t score his first goal until months later, showcasing a more gradual rise.

Yamal’s talent and mental fortitude have already positioned him as one of world soccer’s brightest young prospects. However, as Gavi suggested, the paths of players like Messi and Yamal are uniquely their own, and only time will reveal how far Lamine’s potential will take him.

While it is true that Paris 2024 Olympic Games will start on the 26th, the king of sports will begin on Wednesday, July 24. Spain also shares a group with Egypt and the Dominican Republic.

The Spanish national football team coached by Santi Denia is ready to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, they will be without key midfielder Gavi from FC Barcelona, which is a major blow to their midfield ahead of the competition.

Gavi out of Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Young Spanish midfielder Gavi will not play in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to a serious knee injury. Gavi will be out for several months, which will also prevent him from playing for his club, FC Barcelona.

In November 2023, Gavi suffered the injury during a qualifying match for Spain against Georgia. The diagnosis: rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and damage to the meniscus, which required surgery and requires a long recovery period.

When will Gavi return to play for Spain?

Gavi will not only miss the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but will not play with the National Team again until March 2025, when the European qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada will begin. The Federation (RFEF) does not want to take risks with the Barcelona player, who will be exempted from the matches, friendlies and Nations League, scheduled for the last quarter of next year.

Spain edged past Germany in a grueling quarter-final match, ousting the host nation and solidifying their status as title favorites. The victory over Toni Kroos‘ squad showcased Spain’s resilience and skill, but a tougher test awaits: a showdown with Kylian Mbappe‘s France.

Amidst the excitement, fans are baffled by the absence of a rising Spanish star. The talented Barcelona player, surprisingly, won’t feature in the starting lineup or even on the bench for this critical clash.

Gavi out of the semifinal match against French

Gavi’s absence from the Spanish squad against Kylian Mbappe’s France isn’t due to his performance but stems from an incident several months ago. In November 2023, Gavi suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

This injure sideline him for the entire season with Barcelona and ruling him out of Euro 2024. That means he won’t be available for Spain’s clash against France, nor for a potential final against the Netherlands or England.

Coached by Luis de la Fuente Castillo, Spain entered the tournament with high hopes of capturing their fourth European championship and becoming the most successful team in the competition’s history. Their stellar performance in the group stage, where they secured all nine points, has only strengthened the belief that Spain could go all the way.

In the Round of 16, Spain faced the tournament’s surprise package, Georgia. Despite initially trailing, Spain’s superior class shone through, securing a 4-1 victory to advance to the quarterfinals. Now, they will have to take on the host nation, Germany, without their young star, Gavi.

Gavi out of the quarter-final match against Germany

Gavi’s absence in the quarterfinal match against Germany is due to a severe injury. He suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, along with an associated external meniscus injury.

The Barcelona midfielder’s injury occurred in November 2023, in Spain’s win over Georgia in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The player is expected to be recovered by October or November this year if no problems arise.

Spain has advanced to the next phase, after their good performance in Group B along with Italy, Croatia and Albania, this group was perceived as the “group of death” due to the competitive nature of these nations.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has a formidable squad, however, he will be without key midfielder Gavi from FC Barcelona, which is a major blow to his midfield ahead of the competition.

Gavi out of Euro 2024

Spanish midfielder Gavi, a rising star at Barcelona, will not be featuring in the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Georgia due to a knee injury.

Gavi sustained the injury while playing for Spain in a qualifier match against Georgia last November. The severity of the injury, reported as a torn ACL and damaged meniscus, required surgery and a lengthy recovery period.

This unfortunate setback keeps Gavi out of the Euro 2024, where he was expected to be a key player for Spain. Despite his young age, Gavi has already established himself as a talented midfielder, and his absence is a blow to the Spanish national team.

Drawn into Group B alongside Italy, Croatia, and Albania, this group is widely seen as the “group of death” due to the competitive nature of these nations, specially the first three.

Despite having a formidable roster, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente will be without key midfielder Gavi from FC Barcelona, dealing a blow to their midfield strength for the competition.

2024 Spain Euro Squad

Unfortunately, Gavi suffered a torn ACL while playing for Spain last November. The midfielder has not recovered from it yet, which is why he was not considered for the Euro 2024.

The players called by Spain for the Euro 2024 are:

Goalkeepers: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao).

Defenders: Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Daniel Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Nacho (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad).

Midfielders: Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fabian Ruiz (France Paris Saint-Germain), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City).

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Joselu (Real Madrid), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao).