Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says Gavi‘s “heart and soul” is contagious for the rest of the team after the midfielder inspired the Catalans to a 3-1 Spanish Spur Cup final win over Real Madrid on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
Gavi, 18, opened the scoring and then created goals for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri as Barca comprehensively beat Madrid, who replied through Karim Benzema late on, to win their first trophy under Xavi.
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“He is a kid that excites everyone,” Xavi said in a news conference when asked about Gavi’s performance at the King Fahd stadium in Riyadh. “When you see him compete like that…the heart, soul and character that he plays with are contagious for the rest of the team.
“He’s a born leader, too, that all comes naturally to him — and at the age of 18. He is spectacular. I have said it many times, but I don’t get tired of praising him. He has no ceiling, so don’t slow him down.”
Barca were trophy-less last season and have won just one Copa del Rey in the last three years, under Ronald Koeman in 2021. Xavi hopes Sunday’s trophy — the club’s first in the 21st century without Lionel Messi — will provide the platform for further success following a difficult period in the club’s history.
