Barcelona fan-favourite looking to play a bigger role next season after injury-laden campaign | OneFootball

In a season that saw almost every Barcelona first-team star step up and prove their worth, Gavi was an outlier of sorts.

The young midfielder’s campaign started quite late as he was coming back from a long injury layoff. But fitness woes persisted throughout the campaign, which led to a limited role in Hansi Flick’s setup.

Gavi ended the season with 26 league appearances, only 14 of which came as starts. However, the player is looking to turn the tables as Barcelona gear up for the new season.

Gavi looking to bounce back next season

According to Diario SPORT, Gavi is already focused on returning stronger than ever when Flick’s team returns to training on July 13.

The midfielder knows he didn’t enjoy the same influence on the team as before, but he’s fully motivated to make up for lost time.

Gavi wants to make a huge difference at Barcelona next season (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Gavi suffered a complete ACL tear in November 2023 while playing for Spain and only returned to action in late October 2024.

Since then, he’s played 1,688 minutes across 42 games, scoring three goals and providing three assists – a respectable return given his recovery timeline.

Flick, who inherited Gavi mid-recovery, has shown great trust in the 20-year-old. He’s even deployed him deeper in midfield, often in the same role filled by Pedri or De Jong.

This was quite the shift from the more attacking role Gavi played under Koeman and Xavi. And the trend may only continue in the new season.

Gavi is aware of the intense competition in midfield but remains as combative and determined as ever.

With over 100 appearances already in a Barça shirt, he’s now eyeing a bigger role next season, and it appears both the club and coach fully back him to do just that.