Barcelona star Gavi (L), Princess Leonor (R)
Spain’s exhilarating win at EURO 2024 was highlighted by a 2-1 victory against England, drawing the attention of football fans worldwide. However, beyond the pitch, it was a personalised meeting between Barcelona's rising football star Gavi and Leonor, the Princess of Spain, that made headlines.
King Felipe VI of Spain celebrated the team, especially football heartthrob Gavi’s success, by hosting the whole team at Zarzuela Palace. Among the attendees was Princess Leonor, Spain's heir apparent, whose warm handshake with Gavi fuelled media speculation and engagement.
There were reports that Leonor was supposedly interested in the 20-year-old midfielder, whose skills had attracted global acclaim.
Rumours suggested that King Felipe had once requested a signed Spanish jersey in a youth size, as a gift for his daughter, Princess Leonor. There were also reports that Princess Leonor had photos of Gavi displayed on her school folder at the Atlantic College in Wales.
The King even requested a signed jersey by Gavi for his daughter. However, Gavi reportedly declined these approaches, stating his intention to remain focused on his promising football career.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Gavi rejected the Princess for a common girl named Ana Pelayo. Ana, Gavi's girlfriend, gained attention after attending Barcelona's celebrations following their national championship victory. On 18 May, the couple made a public appearance, highlighting their relationship as Gavi played an instrumental role in Barcelona's remarkable season, capturing the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Super Cup titles.
Pelayo, a dedicated 22-year-old student from Seville, remained a supportive presence during Gavi’s extensive recovery from knee surgery, a journey that kept him sidelined for ten months. Their relationship became more visible after Pelayo shared a heartfelt social media moment with Gavi's family last summer.