‘Lamine told me to see it with him..’: Barcelona star recalls the moment he found out about World Cup call-up | OneFootball

Barcelona is the single-most represented club in the Spanish national team with as many as eight players being called up by Luis de la Fuente for the premier event.

Of all the names, however, Gavi’s inclusion was one of the most pleasant surprises. Notably, it was not only a surprise to fans but to the player himself.

In a viral clip shared by Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, the world witnessed Gavi’s reaction to his name being announced on the World Cup squad, and to say the player was emotional would be an understatement.

Gavi remembers the announcement

Reacting to the clip of his reaction after seeing his name on Spain’s World Cup squad, Gavi relived the moment and spoke about how he was extremely nervous at the time.

“The truth is that I was quite nervous, I didn’t want to see the call,” he began.

“Lamine told me to see it with him there and we saw it together with the physiotherapists. When I heard my name it was a high of happiness,” he recounted.

Gavi will be at the World Cup. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The player then opened up on what it meant to him to represent Spain at the highest level possible, especially after all the struggles he has been through in recent years.

“Representing Spain in the World Cup is one of the greatest things there is. Going to my second World Cup is a privilege.”

On his injury early in the season

Gavi was expected to participate for Barcelona normally last season, and gradually phase into the team to make a case to return to the national team. 

An untimely knee injury early in the season, however, virtually ended all his hopes of a World Cup call as it kept him out of action for close to six months.

The player then remembered how he felt when he initially found out about his injury and how he was in a mad rage at the time.

Gavi overcame a serious injury this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“After the surgery, the doctor told me it would take four or five months. Even the doctor had to leave because I was about to explode.”

“Football is the best thing there is, but I know there are injuries that can easily end your career. I’ve always had that ambition in mind,” he added on his determination to recover in time.

Finally, he stated how he was confident he could make it to the World Cup if he gave his best, and how it actually materialised.

“I knew that if I made a full recovery from the injury and performed at the level I have in big games, I was sure it would happen.”

Source: SPORT