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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gavi returned to action for Barca</li><li>Got standing ovation</li><li>Pedri handed over captain's armband</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I've been dreaming of this moment' - Gavi revels in Barcelona return as midfielder receives standing ovation and captain's armband after long injury hell finally ends

LaLiga

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

Sevilla

Rayo Vallecano

<p>On Sunday, Barcelona welcomed the young midfielder, who had been out of action since November 2023 after suffering an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/worst-case-injury-scenario-gavi-barcelona-confirm-midfielder-tore-acl-spain-surgery-knee/blt80432f5c0e489dca#cs7afa0a11265021dc">anterior cruciate ligament injury</a>&nbsp;during Spain's Euro 2024 qualifying game against Georgia. After missing the entire 2023-24 campaign, the European Championship this summer, and the start of the current season, the Spaniard got back on the pitch during <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-sevilla-player-ratings-robert-lewandowski-raphinha/blt6b13f019903e8760" target="_blank">Barcelona's 5-1 thumping of Sevilla in La Liga</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Hansi Flick introduced the 20-year-old in the 83rd minute of the match as he replaced Pedri. While leaving the pitch, Pedri handed over the captain's armband to Gavi as a welcoming gesture while the fans stood up and applauded.</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gavi was given the captain's armband after making his return 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/ll8Jk7DIZS">pic.twitter.com/ll8Jk7DIZS</a></p>— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1848105518801252627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to reporters, the midfielder said, "I'm very happy to be back with the team. I've been dreaming about this moment for many months and I'm grateful to everyone because they've made it much easier for me. The worst thing is not playing with the team. </p><p>"Watching the team from the outside is very hard and you have to enjoy every moment and value things. I feel very lucky to be here today. It's my life and what I've been doing all my life and I missed it. I feel very lucky. When all the fans and teammates love and value you, you feel very lucky."</p>

WHAT GAVI SAID

<p>The result on Sunday will provide a massive boost to the Catalan giants' confidence who now gear up to face Bayern Munich in a Champions League clash on Wednesday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

'I've been dreaming of this moment' - Gavi revels in Barcelona return as midfielder receives standing ovation and captain's armband after long injury hell finally ends | Goal.com

Gavi returned to action after almost an year as he received standing ovation and the captain&apos;s armband after stepping into the pitch.

&apos;I&apos;ve been dreaming of this moment&apos; - Gavi revels in Barcelona return as midfielder receives standing ovation and captain&apos;s armband after long injury hell finally ends