UEFA Champions League: Gavi hits out at critics over Barcelona starlet's performances - 'They don't have a f****** clue'
ByOli Gent
Published 08/04/2025 at 21:17 GMT+1
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has issued an extraordinary response to critics of his performances, with the 20-year-old claiming that "they don't have a f****** clue". The Spaniard has come under scrutiny since his return from an 11-month lay-off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and he responded emphatically ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal must be 'super convinced' they can beat Real Madrid - Arteta
Video credit: SNTV
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has hit out at critics about his performances, insisting that they "don’t have a f****** clue".
The 20-year-old, who returned to action earlier this year after an 11-month lay-off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, has still managed to play 29 times in all competitions this term.
And 18 of those appearances have come in La Liga, where he’s contributed one goal and an assist.
In the UEFA Champions League, where his Barcelona side face last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund in the last eight live on TNT Sports and discovery+, he has featured six times, most recently as a substitute in the second leg of their last-16 victory over Benfica, which Barca won 3-1.
He netted Barcalona’s only goal in the 1-1 draw with Real Betis last weekend, and has been a key player in Hansi Flick’s side since his return to the first-team fold.
However, some have criticised his level since his return, claiming that Gavi does not "know how to play football", according to the Spaniard.
"A lot of people think I don’t know how to play football, and they don’t have a f****** clue," Gavi said.
"This season, I haven’t had such an important role but after a serious injury, that’s normal. I’m very happy with the recovery I’ve had.
"I think I’m at 100% since I came back. It’s just that I’m more comfortable in some games than in others. I’m happy with the performance I’m giving.
"On the pitch, you can see that I haven’t changed at all because of the injury. I have the same mentality. I am calm and happy with my return after the injury.
"Many don’t come back the same, but I know what I’m capable of, and I know my mentality. I’m back to being the player I was before. I’d like to retire at Barca, but in football, you never know."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/08/4117407-83485788-2560-1440.jpg)
‘I want to win wearing this shirt’ – Saka drops hint over future after Arsenal return
Video credit: SNTV
The Spaniard spoke highly of Flick, calling their relationship "close" and revealing that the German had placed "a lot of faith" in him, demonstrated by his signing of a new five-year deal back in January.
"We’re very close, and he knows I’m coming back from a serious injury," Gavi said.
"Coming back from an injury like that is tough and Hansi has a lot of faith in me. I’m very happy to have him as my coach.
"Hansi is helping me with many aspects of football but also with my more human side. I have to understand in my head that I can’t always be a starter. We’re happy to have him as our coach."
Barcelona are four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, while in Europe, they will face the winners of Bayern Munich and Internazionale in the semi-finals should they progress past Dortmund.
Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
React to this story
Share this article
Related Topics