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Article Summary
Gavi is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Born Pablo Martín Páez Gavira in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville, on 5 August 2004, Gavi joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2015. He made his first-team debut in August 2021 at just 17 years old, becoming the fourth-youngest player in the club’s history. In 2022, he won both the Golden Boy award and the Kopa Trophy, cementing his status as one of the world’s most promising young talents. Gavi helped Spain win the 2023 UEFA Nations League and was part of the squad that won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring the youngest-ever World Cup goal for Spain at the 2022 tournament. He overcame a serious knee injury in late 2023 that kept him out for months to make a triumphant return. He has been in a relationship with Ana Pelayo since 2022. His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pablo Martín Páez Gavira |
| Born | 5 August 2004 |
| Birthplace | Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 21 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Current Club | Barcelona |
| Jersey Number | 6 |
| Nickname | Gavi |
| Girlfriend | Ana Pelayo |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Gavi was born as Pablo Martín Páez Gavira on 5 August 2004 in Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town in the province of Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Growing up in the heart of southern Spain, he developed a passion for football at a very young age.
He began his youth career with La Liara Balompié in 2010, where he spent three years before moving to Real Betis’s youth academy in 2013. His talent was evident early on, and in 2015, at the age of 11, he made the move that would define his career: joining Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
Club Career
Barcelona (2015-Present)
Gavi joined Barcelona’s youth system in 2015 and progressed rapidly through the ranks. He played for Barcelona B during the 2020-21 season, making three appearances.
His first-team debut came on 29 August 2021, at the age of 17 years and 24 days, becoming the fourth-youngest player in Barcelona’s history. In his breakthrough season, he made 47 appearances across all competitions, quickly establishing himself as a key player for the first team.
In July 2023, Gavi signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2026 with a €1 billion release clause. In the 2025-26 season, he made six league appearances, scoring one goal. As of 23 May 2026, he has made 119 league appearances for Barcelona, scoring 6 goals.
Injury Setback and Comeback (2023-2026)
In late 2023, Gavi suffered a serious knee injury, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, while playing for Spain. The injury sidelined him for months and forced him to miss UEFA Euro 2024, a tournament Spain won without him.
In August 2025, he suffered another knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery and kept him out for over six months. He returned to group training in July 2026 and received medical clearance to return to match action, making his comeback against Sevilla.
International Career
Gavi represented Spain at various youth levels, including the U15, U16, and U18 teams. He made his senior debut for the Spain national team in 2021 and has earned 31 caps, scoring 5 goals.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Gavi became the youngest Spanish player ever to score at a World Cup, finding the net at 18 years and 110 days old.
He was part of the Spain squad that won the 2023 UEFA Nations League and was a runner-up in 2021 and 2024.
2026 FIFA World Cup
After overcoming his injury, Gavi was named in Spain’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was not a regular starter during the tournament but contributed whenever called upon by manager Luis de la Fuente, playing 76 minutes across the competition.
Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final on 19 July 2026, Gavi shared an emotional social media post, reflecting on his journey from a young boy in Los Palacios to a world champion. He wrote: “May no one wake me from this dream, the dream of a boy from Los Palacios who dreamed of winning the World Cup with his country…” He thanked his family, Real Betis, Barcelona, La Masia, and his grandmother for their support.
Major Achievements
Barcelona
- La Liga: 2022-23, 2024-25
- Supercopa de España: 2022-23
Spain National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
- UEFA Nations League: 2022-23
Individual
- Golden Boy: 2022
- Kopa Trophy: 2022
Personal Life
Gavi has been in a relationship with Ana Pelayo, a 23-year-old criminology graduate and influencer from Seville, since 2022. The couple was introduced by Gavi’s sister, Aurora, who is a close friend of Pelayo.
They kept their relationship private until October 2024, when they were photographed kissing. Pelayo has been a constant presence at Gavi’s matches, supporting him through both his triumphs and his injury setbacks. She is a graduate in criminology from the University of Seville.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Gavi is celebrating Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph. He played 76 minutes across the tournament, including a start against Cape Verde and a late appearance in the knockout victory over Austria. His market value is estimated at €90 million, and his contract with Barcelona runs until 2026 with a €1 billion release clause.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2022 | Golden Boy | Won |
| 2022 | Kopa Trophy | Won |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Born in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Spain |
| 2015 | Joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy |
| 2021 | Made first-team debut for Barcelona on 29 August |
| 2021 | Made senior debut for Spain |
| 2022 | Won Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy |
| 2022 | Became youngest Spanish World Cup scorer |
| 2023 | Won UEFA Nations League with Spain |
| 2025 | Suffered knee injury, missed Euro 2024 |
| 2026 | Returned from injury; won World Cup with Spain |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona B | 2020-2021 | 3 | 0 |
| Barcelona | 2021-Present | 119 | 6 |
International Caps: 31 | International Goals: 5
FAQs
How old is Gavi?
Gavi was born on 5 August 2004 in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville, Spain, which makes him 21 years old as of 2026.
What is Gavi’s net worth?
Gavi’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million as of 2026. He earns over €7.5 million annually at Barcelona.
Which club does Gavi play for?
Gavi plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona. He wears the number 6 jersey.
Has Gavi won the World Cup?
Yes. Gavi was part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Does Gavi have a girlfriend?
Yes. Gavi has been in a relationship with Ana Pelayo, a criminology graduate and influencer from Seville, since 2022.
What awards has Gavi won?
Gavi won the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy in 2022, and the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
What is Gavi’s height?
Gavi stands at 1.74 meters (5 feet 9 inches).
What position does Gavi play?
Gavi plays as a central midfielder.
What is Gavi’s release clause?
Gavi’s contract with Barcelona reportedly contains a €1 billion release clause.
Where is Gavi from?
Gavi was born in Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town in the province of Seville, Andalusia, Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Gavi is a Spanish central midfielder born on 5 August 2004 in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville.
- He joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2015 and made his first-team debut in 2021.
- He won the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy in 2022.
- He won the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 with Spain.
- He overcame a serious knee injury to return to the Spain squad for the 2026 World Cup.
- He has been in a relationship with Ana Pelayo since 2022.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million.
Conclusion
Gavi’s journey from the streets of Los Palacios y Villafranca to lifting the World Cup at just 21 years old is one of the most inspiring stories in modern football. A product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, he burst onto the scene as a teenager, winning the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy in the same year. His fearless playing style, technical brilliance, and relentless energy made him a fan favorite at Barcelona and a key figure for Spain. When a serious knee injury threatened to derail his career and kept him out of Euro 2024, many wondered if he would ever reach the same heights. But Gavi fought back, returning to fitness in time to earn a place in Spain’s World Cup squad and help his country lift the trophy. As he wrote after the final: “May no one wake me from this dream, the dream of a boy from Los Palacios who dreamed of winning the World Cup with his country…” With a long career ahead of him, Gavi is not just a world champion; he is a symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of dreams.
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