Barcelona picked up a tough 2-1 win over Osasuna over the weekend. Jules Kounde scored the opener and Robert Lewandowski netted the winning penalty.
Despite not getting on the score sheet, it was a momentous occasion for another player as well.
The game against Osasuna marked the 100th game for Gavi with Barcelona. He became the youngest player ever to do so at 19 years and 29 days.
Barcelona uploaded a video with Gavi alongside the rest of the locker room commemorating his achievement.
Gavi with the team to celebrate his 100 games at the first team. pic.twitter.com/5jGBy3fEUP
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 3, 2023
“It’s a dream for me to reach 100 matches with Barça. I’m proud of it,” Gavi said after the game.
With the addition of Ilkay Gundogan and how important Pedri has become, some expected the 19-year-old’s role to be reduced this season. But with Pedri’s injury and Xavi seemingly preferring to play with four midfielders, that hasn’t been the case.
It wasn’t the easiest win for either the Catalan side or the midfielder. He suffered a cut in his ear during the game that required stitches.
https://twitter.com/Barca_Buzz/status/1698444420985549098
Given the intensity Gavi plays the game, he could very well consider it a battle scar.
He made his first team debut in a match against Real Betis on August 29, 2021 under Ronald Koeman. Seventeen at the time, he became the fourth youngest player to make his Barcelona debut.
Xavi certainly seems to have a lot of faith in the player as he was quick to dispel rumors that he was unhappy at what looked to be a lack of minutes heading into the season.
In his short time with the first team, Gavi has been characterized by the way he plays. He is aggressive and while that can sometimes get him in to trouble, Xavi wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s how he plays the game and will likely continue to play it.