Barcelona's Gavi on criticism of his style of play: ‘They don't have a f****** clue'

New York Times

08-04-2025

Barcelona midfielder Gavi says people who criticise his style of play 'don't have a f****** clue'.
The 20-year-old has had to settle for a diminished role this season following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him sidelined for 11 months in October 2024.
However, the Spain international has responded to criticism of his performances this season and reaffirmed his desire to spend the entirety of his playing career with the Barcelona.
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'A lot of people think I don't know how to play football, and they don't have a f****** clue,' Gavi said. 'This season, I haven't had such an important role but after a serious injury, that's normal. I'm very happy with the recovery I've had.
'I think I'm at 100 per cent since I came back, it's just that I'm more comfortable in some games than in others. I'm happy with the performance I'm giving.
'On the pitch, you can see that I haven't changed at all because of the injury. I have the same mentality. I am calm and happy with my return after the injury.
'Many don't come back the same, but I know what I'm capable of, and I know my mentality. I'm back to being the player I was before. I'd like to retire at Barca, but in football, you never know.'
Gavi, who signed a new contract until 2030 in January, has scored three goals and provided three assists in 29 games this season, with 15 of those being starts.
Head coach Hansi Flick has opted to start Pedri, Marc Casado, and Frenkie de Jong ahead of Gavi in midfield this campaign. However, Gavi has started his side's last three league games and started and scored in Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Saturday, a draw that saw them extend their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
When asked about the relationship between him and his coach, Gavi said: 'We're very close and he knows I'm coming back from a serious injury.
'Coming back from an injury like that is tough and Hansi has a lot of faith in me. I'm very happy to have him as my coach.
'Hansi is helping me with many aspects of football but also with my more human side. I have to understand in my head that I can't always be a starter. We're happy to have him as our coach.'
Dortmund will be without centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn meniscus injury.
Analysis by The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Laia Cervello Herrero
Some sectors of the Spanish press, especially from Madrid, have criticised Gavi for the intensity with which he plays and how hard he goes in some actions.
This has led to Gavi's technique often being ignored, despite the fact that last season, he possibly had his best year at Barcelona. In some games before he got injured, he was the standout.
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Because Gavi plays with high intensity and stands out for not being afraid to play hard in some actions — especially when he was younger and more aggressive — it is easy to forget he is a player who knows how to handle the ball well.
He is a graduate of La Masia, and midfield is one of the positions with the most 'Barca DNA'.
It is true that sometimes he has been treated by other clubs as a player who doesn't know how to protect the ball. But in a team like Barcelona, a player who doesn't know how to play the ball has no place.
Gavi stood out from a very young age because of his potential and both Xavi and Hansi Flick hold him in high regard.
The fact that he has played as many games as he has after a year out injured is proof of that.