Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has been talking about Barcelona midfielder Gavi after calling the 21-year-old up to his squad for World Cup 2026.
Gavi has made his way back from a serious knee injury to make the squad and couldn’t hide his delight after getting the call.
De la Fuente says that Gavi isn’t just a great player but a hugely positive influence on the dressing room.
“Gavi is a very well-liked person within the whole group. I’ve called him ‘el juguetillo’ (the little toy)’ I hope he doesn’t
mind, because he’s the one who brings joy, he plays pranks on everyone, it doesn’t matter to him if they’re veterans or not,” he told El Larguero.
“He got along very well with Dani Carvajal, he got along very well with Álvaro, he gets along very well with Rodrigo, he gets along very well with everyone because he’s a very well-liked person, very well-liked.
“Then, from a footballing perspective, he also offers you the possibility of playing in different ways. Incredible, absolutely fantastic, he’s very good. But Gavi, I think his strength, what he contributes most, is precisely that, that connection with everyone. There’s a group and he brings it together well and closes it down well, he’s always looking out for everyone’s needs, he’s very good.”
De la Fuente also hinted that Gavi could be a future captain of the Spain side.
“He could be the fifth captain, of course. It will be his turn, and he’ll do very well because he’s had excellent mentors, and also because he’s a very observant young man,” he added.
“He pays close attention, and when his time comes —he still has a long career ahead of him and a long road to travel— I’m sure he’ll be a great captain.”
Gavi will be hoping for his first minutes with Spain since November 2023 on Thursday when La Roja take on Iraq in a friendly.
