Gavi Credits Hansi Flick As Father Figure After Barcelona Clinch La Liga Title

Barcelona secured a second straight LaLiga crown with a 2-0 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid, and Gavi used the moment to highlight head coach Hansi Flick’s influence. The midfielder described Flick as a father figure and said the trust shown after several serious injuries allowed a return to previous levels.

Early strikes from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres settled the match at Camp Nou, confirming Barcelona’s 29th LaLiga title with three fixtures still to play. It was the first time a Clasico result directly delivered a league trophy for Barcelona, with the only other title-deciding meeting in 1932 ending in a draw that favoured Real Madrid.

Gavi played 77 minutes in the win and produced one of Barcelona’s most combative displays. Gavi contested 11 duels and shared the team-high figure of four victories with Gerard Martin. The midfielder also completed 44 of 48 passes, finishing with 91.7% accuracy while operating at high intensity in a crucial fixture.

The match was only Gavi’s fifth LaLiga start of the season, underlining how disrupted recent campaigns had been. Gavi has started 14 games in 2024-25 and 10 in 2023-24. Across those three seasons combined, Gavi has fewer starts than the 30 registered in 2022-23, when there was a more regular role.

A cruciate ligament tear in November 2023 ruled Gavi out for most of the 2023-24 season. The injury also denied Gavi a place in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. Another knee procedure then kept Gavi sidelined for six further months of the current campaign, delaying the return to competitive rhythm for club and country.

Speaking to Movistar Plus after the game, Gavi said: "I have suffered a lot, unfortunately, in these last two years. It's football. They were serious injuries and you have to be mentally strong, and I have been. It's a strong point of mine. I'm at this level because of the mentality I have. It is not easy to play at this pace, coming from two serious injuries. I've done it and I'm proud. Luckily, the coach trusts me a lot. He's like a father to me. I am very grateful to him. It's not easy to get to play after this injury. He knows about my talent and mentality and that it's important for the team. He blindly trusts me."

Flick’s support came during a difficult personal day. Flick was on the touchline even though Flick’s father had passed away earlier on Sunday, and Flick showed emotion during the post-match celebrations. According to Opta, Flick became the fourth coach this century to win LaLiga in both of the first two Barcelona seasons, joining Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.

Gavi’s focus now turns towards international duty and Spain’s push for the World Cup under Luis de la Fuente. Gavi said: "I'm very hungry for the World Cup, it's a special year for all players," before stressing the desire to prove readiness after the long injury lay-off and the absence from Euro 2024.

Gavi added: "If in the end I don't go, it shouldn't be because I haven't given everything. I've given my maximum level." Spain begin Group H on 15 June against Cape Verde, then face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The schedule offers chances for Gavi to regain a central role on the international stage.

The El Clasico win underlined how Gavi’s recovery, Flick’s guidance and Barcelona’s collective form have come together at a key moment. With the LaLiga title secured, attention for Gavi shifts towards staying fit, maintaining this level and convincing Luis de la Fuente that a World Cup place has been fully earned.