Gavi makes more history by surpassing Messi
FT Desk
- 19 Dec 2021 15:20 GMT
- 3 min read
Gavi made more history on Saturday as he became Barcelona’s third youngest scorer of all time, finding the net at a younger age even than Lionel Messi.
The 17-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young players after exploding onto the scene at the start of this season.
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He has worked his way into Barcelona’s first team setup, making 15 La Liga appearances.
He also became the youngest Spain international in history at the age of 17 years and 62 days against Italy in the Nations League semi-final.
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And now Gavi has made more history after he scored a wonderful individual effort for Barcelona in the 3-2 victory over Elche on Saturday.
That was Gavi’s first-ever goal for Barcelona at the age of 17 years and 135 days.
This makes Gavi the third youngest player ever to score for Barcelona, pushing Messi out of the top three. The legendary Argentine was 17 years and 331 days old when he first scored for the club.
Football IQ at its best: goal of Gavi against Elche was full of fantastic individual details. Anticipation, timing of scanning, directions and change of rythm. Simple but not easy.
⚽️🧠@slawekmorawski
📽 via @m1ndfootballpic.twitter.com/YLD5W5pHBa— Mindfootballness (@mfbnvideos) December 19, 2021
Ansu Fati is the youngest ever Barcelona scorer at 16 years and 304 days old, with Bojan second youngest at 17 years and 53 days.
What did Xavi say about Gavi?
Barcelona coach Xavi hailed his midfielder at the end of the game, saying that the teenager can make it to the very top of the game.
“The way he plays the game is spectacular and he has ambition and personality”, Xavi said.
“He is the future of this club. But not only him, also Araujo, Balde, Nico, Abde.
“They are the future of the team and the club. They are a fantastic generation.
“At that age I was scared, but they are wonderful.
“Gavi is a difference maker and I’m delighted to have him, but I don’t want to compare him to anyone.
“He has no ceiling.”
Barcelona have closed to just three points of the top four with a game in hand.
