Gavi credits father figure Flick after Barcelona´s title win

Gavi described head coach Hansi Flick as a father figure following Barcelona’s title win, saying the German’s unwavering belief allowed him to get back to his best after three injury-hit years.

Barca clinched their 29th LaLiga title – and their second in a row – with a comfortable 2-0 win over rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Early goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres proved enough for the Blaugrana to be crowned champions with three games to spare, winning the title as a direct result of a Clasico for the first time ever.

The only previous instance of a Clasico deciding the title came in 1932, and on that occasion, a draw between Barca and Madrid saw Los Blancos pip Athletic Bilbao to the crown.

Gavi played 77 minutes at Camp Nou, contesting (11) and winning (four, joint with Gerard Martin) the most duels of any Barca player. He also completed 44 of his 48 passes for a 91.7% passing accuracy.

It was only Gavi’s fifth start in LaLiga this season, and, having only made 14 starts in 2024-25 and 10 in 2023-24, he has made fewer starts across the previous three campaigns combined than he did in 2022-23 (30).

Gavi suffered a cruciate ligament tear in November 2023, causing him to miss most of the 2023-24 season as well as Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. He then sat out six months of the current campaign after undergoing another procedure on his knee.

Speaking to Movistar Plus after Sunday’s game, Gavi said: “I have suffered a lot, unfortunately, in these last two years. It’s football.

“They were serious injuries and you have to be mentally strong, and I have been. It’s a strong point of mine.

“I’m at this level because of the mentality I have. It is not easy to play at this pace, coming from two serious injuries. I’ve done it and I’m proud.

“Luckily, the coach trusts me a lot. He’s like a father to me. I am very grateful to him. It’s not easy to get to play after this injury.

“He knows about my talent and mentality and that it’s important for the team. He blindly trusts me.”

4º – Hansi Flick