How much Gavi has played at his tender age compared to Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta

Was playing too many games the reason for Gavi's season-ending injury? Most Barcelona fans would say so but what do the numbers say?

The day when Gavi ruptured his ACL, he was 19 years, three months and 14 days old. By then, he had accumulated 9,410 minutes in 148 senior games for club and country.

By seasons, Gavi played 57 games in 2021/22, 76 games in 2022/23 and 15 games in 2023/24.

These are Gavi's games/minutes numbers compared to some La Liga stars of the past when they were his age:

This damning stat is a striking proof that modern-day footballers are indeed overworking. And, as much as Barca fans would like to blame Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, it's clear that both sides, the club and the national team, should take the responsibility.