Gavi

Gavi: The Midfield Prodigy from Spain

Personal Information

• Full Name: Pablo Martín Páez Gavira

• Date of Birth: August 5, 2004

• Age: 20 years old (as of June 2025)

• Place of Birth: Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville, Spain

• Height: 1.73 meters

• Position: Central Midfielder

• Preferred Foot: Right

Early Life and Youth Career

Pablo Gavi was born in the small Andalusian town of Los Palacios y Villafranca, a place known for producing football talent. From a very young age, his skills on the ball stood out. He began playing with local club La Liara Balompié before moving to Real Betis’s youth academy in 2013. It was at Betis that he made headlines by scoring an astonishing 95 goals in just two seasons — an incredible feat for a young midfielder.

The Rise at FC Barcelona

In 2015, at the age of 11, Gavi joined the world-famous La Masia academy of FC Barcelona. Known for nurturing legends like Xavi and Iniesta, La Masia became the perfect environment for Gavi’s talents to flourish. By 2020, he had signed his first professional contract and was playing for Barça B.

His rapid development led to a historic debut for the first team on August 29, 2021, in a La Liga match against Getafe. At just 17 years old, he became one of the youngest players ever to represent the senior team, impressing fans and coaches alike with his maturity, ball control, and vision on the pitch.

International Breakthrough

Gavi’s exceptional performances at club level didn’t go unnoticed by Spain’s national team coach Luis Enrique. In October 2021, he made his debut for the senior Spanish national team during the UEFA Nations League semi-final against Italy. At only 17 years and 62 days, he broke the record as the youngest player to ever represent Spain at senior level.

Since then, Gavi has become a key figure in Spain’s midfield, bringing energy, intelligence, and creativity to La Roja’s style of play. He played a vital role in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is considered one of the future leaders of Spanish football.

Playing Style and Impact

Gavi is known for his fierce determination, quick decision-making, and exceptional ball control. Despite his young age, he plays with the poise of a veteran, often drawing comparisons to legends like Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. His ability to read the game, press opponents, and link up play has made him a staple in both Barcelona’s and Spain’s midfield lines.