Barcelona: Barcelona has confirmed that 21-year-old midfielder Gavi will undergo surgery on his injured meniscus after conservative treatments failed to resolve the problem. The announcement was made on Monday, with the club revealing that Gavi has been sidelined since late August due to persistent pain in the right knee—the same knee where he suffered a torn cruciate ligament and another meniscus injury in 2023.

Failed Conservative Treatment and Arthroscopic Procedure

Following an initial "conservation course of treatment," Gavi underwent intensive sporting stress tests on Sunday, which indicated that surgery was the best option to guarantee a full and safe recovery. He is scheduled to undergo an arthroscopic (keyhole) examination and procedure on Tuesday under the supervision of the club's medical staff.

Uncertain Recovery Timeframe

Barcelona has not yet provided a definitive timeline for Gavi’s return to competitive action, but sources suggest he could be sidelined for at least 4 to 6 weeks, potentially targeting a comeback in late October or early November. The previous knee surgery Gavi underwent in November 2023 resulted in a year-long absence, underscoring the severity of his knee issues.

Impact on Barcelona's Campaign

Gavi has played only two matches this season, both as a substitute in August. His absence comes at a crucial time as Barcelona competes in La Liga, currently second in the table, and prepares for important fixtures, including an upcoming Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1 and the highly anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26.

Additional Injury Blow: Fermin Lopez Out for Three Weeks

The club also confirmed that midfielder Fermin Lopez, who appeared for 30 minutes in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Getafe on Sunday, sustained a muscular injury in his left hip. Lopez is expected to be out for approximately three weeks, adding to Barcelona’s injury woes along with other sidelined players, including Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona’s coach, Xavi and medical team will focus on rehabilitation and squad rotation as they navigate this challenging period, hoping to minimise the impact of these injuries on the season’s objectives.

With inputs from AFP