FC Barcelona fans have received frustrating news regarding two of their young stars, Gavi and Fermin Lopez. Gavi is scheduled for surgery on his right knee, while Fermin Lopez will be out for around three weeks with a muscle injury.
Gavi to undergo knee surgery
Gavi has been dealing with persistent knee pain that caused him to miss Barcelona’s recent matches against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Newcastle United, and Getafe. After pulling out of the Spain national team and seeing no improvement, manager Hansi Flick pushed for an immediate resolution to the case. A more detailed examination revealed a meniscus issue in his right knee.
On Monday, the club decided that the best course of action was an arthroscopic examination, particularly because it involves the same knee that was previously operated on.
In an official statement, Barcelona announced, “Gavi underwent intense sporting stress tests after finishing his conservation course of treatment for the radial injury to the internal meniscus in his right knee.
"The conclusion is that in order to guarantee the best possible recovery and return to competitive action, this Tuesday the player will undergo an arthroscopic examination.”
Surgeon Joan Carles Monllau, who previously operated on Gavi’s serious cruciate ligament injury in the same leg, will perform the procedure again under the supervision of the club’s medical staff. According to Diario AS, the midfielder is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks.
This timeline means Gavi will likely target a return in November. He is expected to miss at least seven Barcelona matches, including the El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26th. Playing in a high-stakes match of that magnitude so soon after surgery is unlikely.
Fermin out for three weeks
Barcelona also confirmed Fermin Lopez’s injury on the same day. He was substituted in the 60th minute of Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Getafe due to a muscle injury.
According to the club’s medical report, Fermin Lopez has an iliopsoas muscle injury in his left leg and will be out of action for approximately three weeks. This setback will likely cause him to miss matches against Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, PSG, and Sevilla. His name is also unlikely to appear on Luis de la Fuente’s squad list for the Spain national team’s matches against Georgia and Bulgaria in October.
Due to their injuries, both players will miss key upcoming matches. Gavi is expected to miss fixtures against Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla before the international break. Before El Clásico, Barcelona will face Girona in La Liga and Olympiakos in the Champions League. After the Clásico, the club will host Elche, a game in which the 21-year-old’s availability is also uncertain.