Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta has shown strong support for Gavi’s return to the pitch following his long-awaited comeback during Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Sevilla. This comes as Barcelona also strengthens its commitment to player development by signing a five-year partnership with Africa Foot, a second-division Malian club, aimed at enhancing the technical and behavioral growth of young players. Both initiatives reflect Barcelona’s ongoing efforts to nurture talent, both locally and internationally.
Barcelona Legend Backs Gavi’s Return with Support
Barcelona icon Andrés Iniesta has expressed his joy for current Blaugrana talent Gavi.
This follows Gavi’s highly anticipated return to the field late on Sunday night, marking a significant moment in his journey.
During Barcelona’s dominant 5-1 victory over Sevilla, the 20-year-old midfielder was called to the sideline by manager Hansi Flick in the game’s closing ten minutes. With the match well in hand, it was the perfect time for Gavi’s comeback, and he was eagerly awaited by both his teammates and fans alike.
As he made his way onto the pitch, Gavi was handed the captain’s armband by his midfield partner, Pedri, symbolizing his leadership and importance to the team. This marked Gavi’s first appearance on the pitch since late 2023, bringing an end to his long-awaited return and reigniting excitement for what he can bring to Barcelona moving forward.
Messages of support have poured in from all corners of the football world.
Sergio Busquets was among the first to share a public message of support for the Spanish international, posting on Instagram:
‘What a joy to see you play again, Gavi.’
As mentioned earlier, Busquets has since been joined by another iconic figure from Camp Nou.
Andrés Iniesta shared a photo of Gavi on the pitch from Sunday on his Instagram, captioning it with:
‘So happy to see you back, Gavi.’
Barca Signs 5-Year Deal with Africa Foot for Player Development
FC Barcelona has revealed a five-year partnership with Africa Foot, a second-division club from Mali, to enhance the ‘technical and behavioral’ development of its players, marking a significant step forward for Malian football.
The agreement was signed by Sergi Burjuan, director of Barça Academies, and Kassoum Coulibaly of Africa Foot, with the Spanish ambassador to Mali and other officials present.
As part of Barça’s wider initiatives in Africa, following similar partnerships in Ivory Coast and Senegal, this collaboration aims to boost the development of Malian football, with both clubs dedicated to unlocking the full potential of local talent.
Africa Foot President Bahama Sidibé said: “Today marks the official start of a historic partnership between FC Barcelona and Africa Foot. This partnership sends a strong signal from the Catalan club to the world, indicating that there is potential in Mali and Africa. Malian footballers are incredibly talented, which is why the Barcelonians are here in Mali to cement this partnership.
“Given the composition of this high-level delegation from FC Barcelona, we can say that this partnership is of significant importance to them. It is essential to note that this collaboration is not only about our club but for Mali and Africa as a whole. Let us all join hands to ensure that this partnership flourishes and makes both Africa Foot and Mali proud!”
The director of FC Barcelona Academies in Africa, Thierno Barry, added: “We have been working with the Malian side for some time to make this collaboration a reality. The journey may be challenging, but with the commitment and perseverance of my team, we are sure that we will achieve great things together in developing football in Mali. FC Barcelona thanks you for your trust, and we will do everything possible to enhance this project.”
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