Barcelona fans are finally seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel.” After spending just over five months on the sidelines following knee surgery in September 2025, Gavi is projected to receive medical clearance to return to group training by the end of February 2026.
According to reports from Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo, manager Hansi Flick is extremely optimistic about the 21-year-old’s progress. However, the club’s medical department remains cautious, prioritizing a “zero-risk” policy to ensure the midfielder’s long-term fitness.
The Roadmap to Recovery
Gavi has been working on a personalized training plan after undergoing an arthroscopy to address a medial meniscus injury in his right knee. The four-to-five-month recovery window initially outlined by the club is currently being met, with February 23 marking the five-month milestone since his operation.
- Current Status: Individual pitch work alongside Pedri.
- Next Step: Gradual reintegration into full team tactical sessions.
- Target: Available for match selection by early March.
Eyes on the 2026 World Cup
For Gavi, the motivation is twofold. Beyond helping Barcelona in the final stretch of La Liga and the Champions League, the “No. 6” has a clear goal: the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having missed a significant portion of the last two seasons due to knee issues missing over 530 days and 96 official matches in total Gavi is determined to prove his fitness to Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.
A Tactical Boost for Flick
Before his injury, Gavi was a vital cog in Flick’s system, notably providing an assist for Lamine Yamal in the season opener. His intensity and “soul” are seen as the missing ingredients for a Barça side currently battling on multiple fronts.
While the club is also monitoring young talents like Mika Götze from Ajax, the return of a fully fit Gavi is considered the team’s “best winter signing.”
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
