Barcelona sensation Gavi could become the youngest player in Spanish national team history after Luis Enrique handed him a spot in his squad for the Nations League finals.
The 17-year-old midfielder has received a promotion directly to the senior set-up having only represented his country at Under-15 and Under-16 level so far.
Gavi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in late August and has played a further five games for the Catalan giants, most-recently against Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Spain take on European champions Italy in early October and the winner will face either France or Belgium in the Nations League final at San Siro.
While Enrique admits there is an element of risk involved with calling up a player so young, he insists Gavi's talent is too great to ignore.
"For me what's dangerous is taking a risk with kids who you don't think are good enough, and exposing them," said the Spain boss. "I've known him for years.
"Seeing how he's played I don't have any doubts that he can be a very important player for his club and the national team.
"Is it too early? Yes it could be. But he could start against Italy, depending on what I see in training.
"Age isn't important, it's your attitude, and if you adapt to what the coach wants. That's what I don't know about Gavi yet."
Should Gavi feature in the October internationals, he will surpass A ngel Zubieta - who played for Spain in 1936 - as his country's youngest-ever player.
Gavi's Barca breakout
Gavi joined Barcelona from Real Betis in 2015 at the age of 11 having been scouted by other top teams in La Liga including Madrid duo Real and Atletico.
He progressed through the ranks at La Masia rapidly and was handed his first professional contract in September 2020.
Gavi made a handful of appearances for Barcelona B and word of his precocious ability reached Ronald Koeman, who included him in his pre-season squad this summer.
Who will win the Nations League out of Spain, Italy, France and Belgium? Have your say in the comments.
The midfielder - able to feature centrally or on either flank - played against Gimnastic Tarragona, Girona and Stuttgart to convince his manager he deserved a place in his squads for La Liga and the Champions League.
Gavi made three appearances from the bench, picking up an assist against Granada, before going on to start Barcelona's last two La Liga games in central midfield.
"Gavi's a young player that in very little time has shown he has a place (in the first-team squad)," said Koeman of Barcelona's latest wonderkid.
Which Premier League players are involved?
Alongside Gavi there are a number of Premier League players vying to help Spain win the second season of the Nations League.
Manchester City trio Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Ferran Torres could form the spine of Enrique's team alongside Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon, West Ham United playmaker Pablo Fornals and goalkeepers David de Gea and Robert Sanchez of Manchester United and Brighton respectively are also in the squad.
