By Simon Evans
MILAN (Reuters) – Midfielder Gavi became Spain’s youngest ever international in Wednesday’s Nations League semi-final victory over Italy and immediately showed why coach Luis Enrique had the faith to throw him into the side at 17 years and 62 days old.
Despite having made only three starts for his club Barcelona, Enrique opted to start Gavi in a three-man midfield against the European champions at the San Siro.
Up against the likes of Marco Verratti and Jorginho, Gavi showed no signs of being overawed, producing a debut of rare confidence in the 2-1 win that set up a final against Belgium or France on Sunday.
Composed on the ball, confident throughout and always looking to bring Spain’s attacking players into the game, Gavi’s performance left his coach purring.
“We already talked about how he is an unusual case,” said Luis Enrique.
“He is playing like in the backyard of his house. It is a pleasure to see a player with this quality and personality. He is the future of the national team like many other players but he also showed he is part of the present.”
The teenager broke a record that had stood for 85 years — Athletic Bilbao’s Angel Zubieta had made his debut for Spain in April, 1936 at the age of 17 years and 284 days in a game against Czechoslovakia.
“Nothing too much for him, he has the personality and quality to play at this level,” said Luis Enrique, who had faced criticism from the Spanish press over his squad selection.
“The game played out beautifully for us but that was a match of two rivals going at it hammer and tongs with their best strengths on show,” he said.
“My team looked dangerous throughout, we pressed well and I’m pretty happy. With only a session-and-a-half of training behind us this wasn’t easy but the players’ attitude was sensational.”
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Toby Davis)
