Barcelona Golden Boy set to achieve special milestone against Osasuna
As Barcelona gear up to take on CA Osasuna in La Liga on Sunday night, the occasion could end up being a memorable one for teenage sensation Gavi.
The midfield prodigy, who turned 19 last month, is already a mainstay in the Barça setup despite his young age and continues to be a key cog in Xavi’s plans, having already started two of Barça’s three La Liga games this season.
Youngest player to reach 100 games for Barcelona
And on Sunday at El Sadar, if Gavi gets on to the pitch, which he very likely will, the 2022 Golden Boy Award winner will achieve a special milestone.
Indeed, should he feature against Osasuna, the teenage prodigy will be making his 100th appearance as a Barcelona player.
What makes the achievement even special is that the La Masia graduate would become the youngest player ever to reach the 100-game landmark for Barça, beating the record held by another academy graduate, Bojan Krkic.
The former striker currently holds the record for the youngest player to reach 100 matches for Barcelona, having done so at the age of 19 years, 2 months, 24 days.
Gavi is currently on 99 matches and could go on to break Bojan’s record should he take the field against Osasuna tomorrow, as he would be doing so at the age of 19 years and 29 days.
A special talent
Gavi broke into the Barcelona first-team setup during the 2021/22 campaign under former manager Ronald Koeman.
At the time, the midfielder was just 17 years and 24 days old and since then, he has not looked back.
A mainstay for club and country, Gavi has now won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona while also being part of the Spain national team that lifted the UEFA Nations League earlier this year.
Recognised with the honour of the 2022 Golden Boy Award, the 19-year-old has a long-term contract until 2026 with Barcelona and will be the face of the team for years to come.
