PersonES

Pablo Gavi

Barcelona and Spain midfielder who confronted Argentina's Leandro Paredes defending Eric García after the World Cup final.

Gavi is a Barcelona and Spain midfielder who returned from a serious 2023 knee injury to win the 2026 World Cup with Spain on 19 July, the final in which he was struck and pushed to the ground defending teammate Eric García.

Last refreshed: 21 July 2026

Key Question

Why did Gavi confront Leandro Paredes after the World Cup final?

Timeline for Pablo Gavi

#44 18 Jul

Intervened for Eric Garcia and was struck and pushed to the ground

2026 FIFA World Cup: Torres settles the final in the 106th

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Background

Gavi, born Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, is a Barcelona and Spain midfielder known since his teenage breakthrough for combative instincts on the pitch. He joined Barcelona's academy at 11 and made his first-team debut aged 17 on 29 August 2021 against Getafe, becoming the youngest player to score for Spain's senior side the following June and, at the 2022 World Cup, the third-youngest World Cup goalscorer in history after Pele and Manuel Rosas.

A torn ACL and meniscus sustained in a Euro 2024 qualifier on 19 November 2023 kept him out of Euro 2024 and the Paris 2024 Olympics; he returned 348 days later, in October 2024. Since then he has won three La Liga titles and the 2023 UEFA Nations League, and has carried the Spain midfield through the 2026 World Cup-winning campaign, taking his cap total past 30.

Gavi is not connected to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the global immunisation body; the two share a name by coincidence, not affiliation.

Common Questions

Reference

Is Pablo Gavi related to the GAVI vaccine alliance?

No. Pablo Gavi is the nickname of Barcelona and Spain footballer Pablo Martín Páez Gavira. GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, is an unrelated global health organisation; the shared name is coincidental.Source: Lowdown

When did Gavi make his Barcelona first-team debut?

Gavi made his Barcelona debut on 29 August 2021, aged 17, in a 2-1 La Liga win over Getafe.

Why did Gavi miss Euro 2024?

Gavi suffered an ACL injury and damaged meniscus in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on 19 November 2023, ruling him out of the tournament and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Was Gavi hurt in the World Cup final brawl?

He was struck and pushed to the ground while defending Eric García from Leandro Paredes after the final whistle; Paredes was sent off. FIFA's ethics prosecutor is reviewing the incident as part of a wider inquiry, with no further finding made.Source: Lowdown

What happened when Gavi confronted Leandro Paredes after the World Cup final?

Gavi stepped in when Paredes grabbed Eric García by the neck after the final whistle; Paredes struck Gavi and pushed him to the ground before Lionel Scaloni separated the players and Paredes was sent off.Source: Telecinco

Who is Gavi, the Barcelona midfielder who confronted Leandro Paredes?

Gavi, born Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, is a Barcelona and Spain midfielder who intervened when Argentina's Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric García by the neck after the 2026 World Cup final, and was struck and pushed to the ground.Source: Vozpopuli