Barcelona get Gavi boost as midfielder’s knee injury shown to be a bruise

Barcelona can breathe a major sigh of relief after a knee injury sustained by Gavi in their opening game of the season in LaLiga was shown to only be a bruise.

Hansi Flick’s side began their quest for a third straight league title with a 5-0 rout of Elche on Sunday, as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez both scored twice.

Ex-Borussia Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided win for the Blaugrana, who put up a remarkable 4.38 expected goals to Elche’s 0.7 xG.

There was one major worry for the Catalan giants, though, as midfielder Gavi was substituted in tears after appearing to injure his right knee late in the first half.

The Spain international has previously suffered two serious injuries to the same knee. 

He missed the second half of 2023-24 and Euro 2024 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, then sat out most of 2025-26 after undergoing surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in the same area. 

But as revealed in a medical update issued by Barcelona on Monday, Gavi has avoided a serious injury on this occasion.

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
First team player @pablogavi took a knock to his right knee during yesterday’s game.

Medical tests carried out this morning have confirmed that it is only a bruise.

He is expected to return to training shortly. pic.twitter.com/UYlNq6bcS9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 24, 2026

“First-team player Gavi took a knock to his right knee during yesterday’s game,” a statement posted to social media read.

“Medical tests carried out this morning have confirmed that it is only a bruise. He is expected to return to training shortly.”

Gavi could even be in contention to feature in Barca’s second game of the season, at home to Athletic Club on Thursday.