10 fun facts about Pablo Gavi

Pablo Gavi, whose full name is Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, is a professional footballer from Spain. He currently plays as a central midfielder for Barcelona in La Liga and also represents the Spain national team.

Gavi began his football journey at La Liara Balompié, a club in his hometown, where he spent two years from 2010 to 2012. He then joined the youth academy of Real Betis, where he spent two seasons and scored an impressive 95 goals for the youth team.

At the age of 11, in 2015, Gavi signed with Barcelona. In September 2020, he signed his first professional contract with the Catalan club and was quickly promoted from the under-16 team to the under-19 team. He made his debut for Barcelona B on 21 February 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute during a 6-0 victory over L’Hospitalet. He earned his first start for Barça B on 14 March in a 1-0 derby win against Espanyol B.

Gavi’s breakthrough into Barcelona’s first team came on 29 August 2021, when he played his first official match and helped secure a 2-1 La Liga win over Getafe. He continued to make an impact, scoring his first goal for the club and providing an assist in a 3-2 home victory over Elche on 18 December. Gavi’s standout performance came on 15 January 2023, as he scored a goal and provided two assists in a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España Final, earning him the title of man of the match.

Despite opposition from La Liga president Javier Tebas, a Spanish court ruled in favor of accepting Gavi’s new contract with Barcelona until 2026, which he had signed in September of the previous year. This ruling was made on 31 January, as it was argued that the new deal would not exceed the club’s salary limit for that season. Below are some fun facts about him.

1. Youngest debutant ever for Spain

Gavi achieved a significant milestone in his professional career on September 30th, 2021. The talented young player from Barcelona received a call-up from Luis Enrique to join the Spanish national team in their UEFA Nations League semi-final match against Italy, which was scheduled for October 6th.

This opportunity not only made Gavi the youngest player ever to represent La Furia Roja but also provided him with a platform to once again display his exceptional skills on the international stage. Gavi played a crucial role in helping Enrique’s team put an end to Italy’s impressive 37-game winning streak, showcasing his immense talent. He was also selected by the former Barcelona manager to be part of Spain’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

2. Started his football journey in his hometown

Growing up in the Los Palacios y Villafranca neighborhood of Seville, which had a population of 40,000, Gavi was surrounded by football enthusiasts. Interestingly, two other notable football players, Jesus Navas and Fabian Ruiz, also hailed from the same place. Being raised in a household that lived and breathed football, it was only natural for Gavi to develop a deep passion for the sport.

Displaying remarkable talent and innate aptitude from a young age, he caught the attention of many. Consequently, in 2010, Gavi’s parents enrolled him in La Liara Balompié, a local team in his region.

3. Scored 95 goals in 2 seasons at Betis

Gavi’s journey began in his hometown club, where he honed his skills for a few years. However, his exceptional talent caught the attention of the Real Betis Academy, who eagerly recruited him. This move provided Gavi with greater opportunities and resources to showcase his abilities.

With a larger audience, he proved his worth and set the stage for a promising future. Gavi’s time at the Real Betis youth academy was nothing short of remarkable, as he astonishingly scored an impressive 95 goals in just two seasons. His dedication and hard work were evident in every game, capturing the attention of scouts throughout Spain.

4. Known to often play with untied Shoe Laces

If you have had the opportunity to observe Gavi, you would have noticed that he frequently leaves his shoelaces untied. Certain fans have proposed that Gavi’s untied shoelaces are nothing more than a superstition, similar to how some athletes touch the grass or perform a ritual before entering the field. However, the truth is that Gavi simply lacks the knowledge of how to tie his shoes properly.

5. He has been comapred to Xavi and Iniesta

Gavi, a player who has been likened to Iniesta and Xavi, is following in the footsteps of these two La Masia graduates. While Gavi can only aspire to achieve what they have accomplished, it is evident that his exceptional ball control and ability to read the game make it easy to draw parallels between them.

6. Got His Breakthrough Under Ronald Koeman

In the 2021/22 pre-season, Gavi received a promotion to the first team under Koeman’s guidance. Alongside several other players from Barca B, Gavi made the transition to the senior team. Nevertheless, he has proven to be one of the select few who have consistently excelled.

Under Koeman’s leadership, Gavi had the opportunity to showcase his immense potential on a global stage. Following impressive displays, he was rumored to have surpassed Riqui Puig in Ronald Koeman’s squad choices.

7. Gavi idolises Marco Verratti

At just 18 years old, Gavi has already drawn comparisons to football legends like Xavi and Iniesta. However, his true idol is none other than Marco Verratti, the midfield magician of PSG. Gavi admires Verratti’s playing style and how he effortlessly controls the ball.

It was a dream come true for Gavi when he made his debut for Spain and had the opportunity to play against his idol in the semi-final clash. Former Spanish manager Luis Enrique once revealed that Verratti is Gavi’s idol and instructed him to press him relentlessly throughout the match, which Gavi thoroughly enjoyed.

8. 2022 Kopa Trophy Winner

Gavi was named the winner of the 2022 Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best player under the age of 21. He surpassed Jamal Musiala (3rd place) and Eduardo Camavinga (2nd place) to claim the prestigious award. Previous notable winners of this esteemed accolade include Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, and Pedri.

9. Comes from a family of football lovers

Similar to numerous Spanish households, Gavi’s family shares a deep passion for sports. Within his household, Gavi’s father and sister stand out as devoted football enthusiasts, wholeheartedly supporting Gavi’s pursuit of the sport from the outset. Recognizing his son’s exceptional talents at a tender age, Gavi’s father consistently motivated him to strive for self-improvement each day. Taking the initiative, Gavi’s father enrolled the young prodigy in a local academy, ultimately paving the way for his significant role within Barcelona’s team.

10. Loves to play video games

Gavi is an avid gamer and particularly enjoys playing FIFA video games. He has been spotted engaging in gaming sessions with his teammates and midfield partner, Pedri, on numerous occasions. According to various reports, Gavi has a preference for selecting Barcelona as his team while playing FIFA, as he finds great pleasure in the game. In one instance, the midfielder admitted that he often spends his leisure time playing FIFA, but consistently falls short against Pedri due to the latter’s extensive gaming experience.