Barcelona midfielder Gavi has opened up about the pressure surrounding his career, his battle to return from knee problems and his determination to focus on football rather than outside criticism.
Speaking in an interview with Men's Health, the 22-year-old midfielder explained how his mindset has changed since breaking into Barcelona's first team as a teenager.
Gavi admitted that he now feels considerably more pressure than he did at 17, when he was still establishing himself at the highest level. However, his experiences with injuries have also changed the way he approaches his career.
Rather than allowing outside opinions to dominate his thinking, the Barcelona midfielder says he is concentrating on his recovery, football and helping his teammates.
Gavi: “Now there is much more pressure”
Gavi's rise at Barcelona came at an incredibly young age, but he now finds himself dealing with a different kind of expectation.
The midfielder explained that the pressure today is greater than when he first broke into the team.
At 17, he said, he did not fully understand the scale of where his career was heading. Now, with several years of elite football behind him, he has a much clearer understanding of the attention that comes with playing for Barcelona.
That experience has also helped him develop a more mature approach to criticism.
Gavi has previously spoken about becoming accustomed to criticism since making his first-team debut. In a separate interview earlier this year, he said criticism does not make him lose focus and that he remains committed to his teammates and the people around him.
His knee has changed his approach to football
One of the biggest themes from Gavi's latest interview was his approach to his physical condition.
The midfielder has endured significant knee problems in recent seasons, forcing him to spend extended periods away from competitive football.
Those experiences have made him more conscious of taking care of his body.
Gavi explained that his knee needs to remain strong whether he is playing or not, meaning recovery and preparation have become a major part of his routine.
His cautious approach was evident at the beginning of the current season.
Gavi started Barcelona's league opener against Elche but was taken off after receiving a knock to his knee. Although reports indicated there was no new injury, the club took precautions because of his previous knee problems.
Since then, his playing time has been limited.
Fighting for minutes under Hansi Flick
Gavi is currently competing for playing time in a Barcelona midfield filled with quality options.
Hansi Flick continues to trust the midfielder, but Gavi has not been an automatic starter this season.
Flick has previously acknowledged Gavi's ambition while explaining that the players currently occupying his position have been performing well.
The Barcelona manager said Gavi remains important to the team and that he trains well, but also indicated that the midfielder has to accept the current situation while continuing to work for his opportunity.
For Gavi, patience has therefore become an important part of his current chapter.
His return from knee problems is not simply about getting back onto the pitch. It is also about managing his body carefully while competing for a place in one of Europe's strongest squads.
Gavi refuses to let criticism control him
Despite the increased pressure, Gavi appears determined not to allow criticism to dictate his mindset.
His approach is relatively straightforward: concentrate on football and let performances do the talking.
That attitude has developed through difficult experiences.
During his periods away from football, Gavi had time to reflect on his game and his career. He has previously explained that watching his own matches helped him identify areas where he could improve.
He has also spoken about becoming more disciplined in his game, including reducing unnecessary fouls and becoming calmer when playing with the ball.
Those changes suggest that his development has not stopped simply because injuries interrupted his progress.
Gavi praises Lamine Yamal
Gavi also had plenty of praise for Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal.
The relationship between the two young stars has attracted significant attention, with both players growing into important figures at the club.
In his Men's Health interview, Gavi highlighted Yamal's talent and mentality, describing him as a player with the qualities needed to continue developing at the highest level. Recent reporting from the interview also highlighted Gavi's belief in Yamal's ability to become one of the game's greatest players if he continues improving.
Yamal himself is already carrying significant expectations at Barcelona.
The 19-year-old was recently entrusted with a vice-captain role, reflecting the growing responsibility he has within the squad. He has also identified winning the Champions League as a major objective for Barcelona this season.
For Gavi, however, the focus appears to be less about individual headlines and more about contributing to the team.
A different Gavi is emerging
The Gavi who is returning from his injury setbacks is not necessarily the same player who burst onto the scene at 17.
He has experienced major highs, difficult periods away from the pitch and the pressure that comes with representing Barcelona and Spain.
Those experiences appear to have changed his perspective.
Rather than worrying about every criticism or every decision concerning his playing time, Gavi is focusing on staying fit, earning the trust of his manager and being ready when his opportunity arrives.
That opportunity may come sooner or later, but his current message is clear: he intends to keep working.
For Barcelona, having a fully fit and motivated Gavi could provide another midfield option during a long season.
For the player himself, the immediate challenge is simple stay healthy, keep improving and earn his place.
And while the outside noise continues, Gavi appears increasingly comfortable letting his football provide the answer.
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