After becoming the youngest World Cup scorer since Pele in Spain’s 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica on Wednesday, teen prodigy Gavi is poised for global stardom, according to his coach Luis Enrique. Alvaro Morata’s cross from the right wing crashed in off the inside of the post, setting up Gavi for Spain’s fifth goal and making him the third-youngest player in tournament history at the age of 18 years and 110 days. “It’s the best of my dreams, I never imagined this,” said Gavi. “I’m delighted to be achieving this.” The goal concluded a spectacular performance from the young Barcelona player, who combined beautifully in midfield with 19-year-old Pedri, a fellow Camp Nou resident.
And Luis Enrique is confident that he has a player on his hands who will one day rank among the finest in the world. “He’s a unique player, a very different player because … he’s 18 years old but he has the personality of an experienced player,” he said. “We’re happy to have him in the team and we think he’s going to be one of the stars of world football.” And the strict coach still anticipates progress from Gavi. “I hope he will go and play every time better and try to be aggressive with the ball and without the ball,” said Luis Enrique, who added that Gavi “needs only a bit of poise and calm at times.”
Gavi was chosen from a group of exceptionally talented young players that helped Spain put on a fantastic display in which they controlled more than 80% of the ball and did not concede a single corner or shot on goal. He had an especially strong connection with Pedri, who passed to Dani Olmo for the game’s first goal. “I’m very happy to win it and delighted to be MVP. We played a great game, well done everyone,” said Gavi. “Pedri and I are very good friends off the pitch and on the pitch there is not much to say, he’s a spectacular player and it’s very easy to play alongside him.”