Gavi talks Lamine Yamal, injury, pressure and football journey: ‘The younger I was, the more I enjoyed’

Gavi talks Lamine Yamal, injury, pressure and football journey: ‘The younger I was, the more I enjoyed’ Gavi has fallen behind in Hansi Flick’s pecking order after his recent injury-riddled seasons, but there is no doubt that the manager continues to back the player. The likes of Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Marc Bernal and possibly even Frenkie de Jong are ahead of him in terms of being Flick’s preferred option. Being the fighter that he is, however, Gavi has been up for the challenge and continues to work hard in training to prove his worth to the manager and return to a prominent role on the field. Gavi speaks about his situation The young Barcelona midfielder spoke to the media in a recent interview and explained in depth the struggle of his return from injury, his form and the pressure he feels now. First, the midfielder explained how there has been a massive change in the pressure on his shoulders between his debut as a teenager and the present day. Gavi admitted to feeling the pressure. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “Now there is much more pressure than at 17 years old, back then I was not aware of where I was. The younger I was, the more I enjoyed football,” he said, via MARCA . While Gavi’s professional career is still in its early days, he has had a lot of first-team experience and has even won several titles along the way. The journey has had a fair share of ups and downs, and Gavi reflected on what he has learned along the way. “Before maybe I was not very patient and now I am more patient. When I was injured, I had to fulfil stages and set goals.” “It has also come in handy for me to learn other things that go beyond football. Now, for example, I would tell you that I take care of myself much more than when I debuted,” he added. Gavi then opened up on how there is a continual need to strengthen his knee and get better, saying, “My knee must always be strong, whether I play or not. I can’t neglect myself because at any time I can mess it up.” Elaborating on the process of his recovery and how he stayed in good spirits through the setback, the La Masia star said, Gavi was full of praise for Yamal. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) “I isolated myself with my family and that helped me a lot.” Finally, Gavi praised Lamine Yamal for the quality and maturity the star possesses. “That guy is really good at playing, but in practice, he surprises you even more. I just hope he keeps getting better and better.” He then spoke openly about how Yamal has a frightening potential and can only get better with time. “He knows how far he can go – he could be one of the greatest of all time. But I see that he’s in the right frame of mind, which is what really matters in the end.” On the winger’s elite mentality which sets him apart from others aspiring to be the best, Gavi said, “He knows what he’s doing, and he still has a long career ahead of him. He has to keep it up every day because the present is what counts, and people are going to be watching him closely every single day.”