Gavi Backs Dembele and Yamal for Ballon d’Or, Reflects on Injury Comeback
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has thrown his full support behind former teammate Ousmane Dembélé in the Ballon d’Or conversation, hailing the Frenchman’s season as “incredible” and saying he deserves a top-three finish in the voting.
“His season has been amazing—something truly unique. He absolutely deserves to be in the top three. ‘Ous’ is like a brother to me, and I’d be thrilled to see him recognized,” Gavi said.
He also gave praise to Lamine Yamal, his current Barça teammate, saying: “What Lamine has achieved is extraordinary. I hope he can win the Ballon d’Or one day too.”
Turning to his own journey, Gavi shared insights on his recovery from a serious injury. Though he admits the effects of the injury still linger, he feels he’s returning to form.
“The injury is still there in a way, but I already feel much better on the pitch. They say it takes a year to get back to your best, but in my case, that hasn’t been true—I’m feeling great,” the young Spaniard noted.
Still, Gavi admitted it has been tough adjusting to limited minutes, especially after being a regular starter before the injury.
“Initially, I told myself to take things slowly this season. But once you’re back with the team, your instincts take over and you want to give everything. It’s been frustrating because I’m not used to sitting out—I’ve always played every game. It’s a new experience for someone my age,” he reflected.
From La Masia to the First Team: Yamal Talks About His Growing Bond with Lewandowski
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal opened up about how his relationship with striker Robert Lewandowski has grown since his promotion to the first team. Starting from his early days in the club’s youth ranks, Yamal said the Polish forward has become a mentor figure and a crucial partner on the pitch, helping him navigate the top level of European football.
Their understanding has developed rapidly, and both players have become key pieces in Hansi Flick’s new tactical setup as Barcelona look to reassert themselves on the continental stage.
