How Man City vs Liverpool became football's hottest rivalry

Why can't all-conquering Chelsea fill Stamford Bridge? 

Southgate on his way out! England change inevitable

The Saudi Pro League's top January transfer targets

England's Euros squad rankings: Who'll make it on the plane?

Fifa World Cup qualifiers wrap: Mane brace fires Senegal as Tanzania edge Niger

Piatak joins Reynolds & McElhenney as latest American owners

Otamendi lifts Argentina as Messi plays peacemaker in Brazil

FIFA world ranking latest: Argentina stay on top, England leapfrogs Belgium

All the top teams' 2023-24 football kits released so far

Premier League top scorers 2023-24: Golden Boot race

Who has had more red cards, Messi or Ronaldo?

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gavi tore his ACL and damaged meniscus on Spain duty</li><li>Will undergo surgery, miss rest of season and Euro 2024</li><li>Receives well-wishes from Real Madrid president</li></ul>

Rivalry paused! Barcelona star Gavi receives surprise letter from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez after seeing his season all but ended by ACL injury blow

Gavi sustained a serious knee injury for Spain last weekend, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-gavi-spain-georgia-injury-update/blt1f82795f2bf3e7c8" target="_blank">rupturing his ACL in the first half of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia</a>. The midfielder, who appeared visually upset after the incident, could be out of action for up to a year. But Perez, Madrid's markedly anti-Barca president, has sent Gavi a note of encouragement, according to <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/carta-florentino-perez-gavi-94911977" target="_blank">Cadena Cope</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Perez isn't the only supposed rival to show Gavi support. Madrid regulars <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz4WblOLnTs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igshid=ODhhZWM5NmIwOQ==" target="_blank">Dani Carvajal</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz4gkK3Lgho/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igshid=ODhhZWM5NmIwOQ==" target="_blank">Joselu</a> also took to social media to send messages of support to the Barcelona midfielder. Gavi is expected to undergo surgery on November 28, according to <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/fijada-fecha-operacion-gavi-94907055" target="_blank">Sport</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Barca confirmed Gavi's injury in a club statement: "Test carried out on Monday morning on the first team player Gavi have shown that he has a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus. The player will have surgery in the coming days after which a new medical update will be released."

WHAT BARCELONA SAID

The Spanish midfielder is set to undergo surgery next week, and will start a lengthy rehab process. He is expected return around the start of the 2024-25 season.

WHAT NEXT FOR GAVI

Rivalry paused! Barcelona star Gavi receives surprise letter from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez after seeing his season all but ended by ACL injury blow | Goal.com Tanzania

Florentino Perez has put Clasico tensions aside to send Gavi a latter of encouragement after the Spanish midfielder suffered a serious knee injury.

Editors' Picks