Gavi sidelined with knee discomfort as Barcelona face Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona will travel to Vallecas on Sunday for their final La Liga match before the international break without midfielder Gavi after the club ruled the 21 year old out because of discomfort in his right knee. The absence was announced early Saturday and comes after Gavi left a training session with pain, underwent medical tests at Barcelona's training complex and was withdrawn as a precaution from both the matchday squad and Spain's upcoming World Cup qualifying camp.

The club said Gavi is experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired right knee and that his availability will depend on how his recovery progresses. Spain's federation confirmed he will not join Luis de la Fuente's squad for qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey. Initial concern inside the club that the problem might be serious has eased, with Barcelona and media reports describing the issue as precautionary rather than a new major injury. Gavi tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee in November 2023 and missed nearly a year, a history that has prompted a cautious approach from both club and country.

Gavi's absence complicates Hansi Flick's plans for a trip to Rayo Vallecano, where Barcelona...