Came back after 348 days… Barça Shinsung Gabi’s ‘impressive comeback from injury’ with teammates and fans

Barcelona‘s Pablo Gabi made his comeback 11 months after suffering a serious injury, including a ruptured knee cruciate ligament, in November last year. Photo = Fabrizio Romano SNS

Pablo Gavi (20), who suffered serious injuries such as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament despite receiving attention as the future leader of Barcelona, ​​has finally returned. It has been 11 months since I was injured last year. The fans welcomed Gabi’s return with a warm standing ovation, and his teammates also gave him the captain’s armband, making it a truly touching comeback game from injury.

Gabi replaced Pedri in the 38th minute of the second half of the home game against Sevilla in the 10th round of the 2024-25 Spanish professional soccer Primera Liga against Sevilla held at Camp Nou in Barcelona, ​​Spain on the 21st (Korean time). This is the first time Gabi has stepped on the field since the game against Georgia in November last year, when he played for the Spanish national team.

At that time, Gabi suffered an injury during the game and was replaced in the 26th minute of the first half. It was a truly serious injury, including a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and a damaged meniscus. Born in 2004, he is young, but the Spanish soccer world was shocked by his rise as he had already established himself as a key member of Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

Initially, it was predicted that he would have to focus on rehabilitation for a year. It was devastating news at an age when one should be in the prime of competition. Gabi did not give up and continued to focus on rehabilitation and prepare for her return. And he smiled brightly as he made his return from injury after 11 months, a whopping 348 days, a little earlier than expected.

Barcelona’s Pablo Gabi made his comeback 11 months after suffering a serious injury, including a ruptured knee cruciate ligament, in November last year. AFP = Yonhap News

Fans who were anticipating Gabi’s return first welcomed him with a warm welcome. Spain’s Marca said, “Fans have not forgotten Gabi. The fans’ applause for Gabi was deafening. “On this day, Gabi received a welcome from fans that she would never forget,” he said. “Fans who were anxiously awaiting Gabi’s return welcomed her return with tremendous cheers. “There was not only a standing ovation but also shouts of his name.”

It was also a touching moment to be replaced by Pedri, with whom I had worked well. In addition, Pedri even placed the captain’s armband on Gabi’s left arm as he left the stadium, drawing even louder applause. Gabi enjoyed a thrilling return after being on the field for a short period of time.

Gabi said in a post-match interview, “I’m very happy to be back after such a long time. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for months,” he said of his return, adding, “The hardest thing for me was not being with the team, and watching the game outside was also very difficult.” According to Marca, as Gabi has been away for a very long time, he is expected to improve his performance by gradually increasing his playing time.

Barcelona’s Pablo Gabi (right) made his comeback 11 months after suffering a serious injury, including a ruptured knee cruciate ligament, in November last year. To celebrate his return, Pedri is wearing the captain’s armband. Photo = Fabrizio Romano SNS

Reporter Kim Myeong-seok [email protected]