Overview
- A social-media video showed Barcelona midfielder Gavi make a heavy challenge on teammate Rodri during a Spain training session, leaving Rodri on the ground in visible pain.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and several teammates publicly defended Gavi’s combative style and urged he manage his energy rather than apologise.
- Medical staff assessed Rodri after the incident and he went on to play about 60 minutes in Spain’s friendly win over Peru, easing immediate fears of a tournament-ending injury.
- There were sharp online criticisms that the tackle was reckless and coverage linked the moment to wider club rivalry and transfer talk around Rodri and Real Madrid.
- The incident highlights a practical dilemma for Spain’s staff: preserve Gavi’s game-changing intensity while protecting key players such as Rodri, whose recent injury history raises the cost of training collisions.