Barcelona's Gavi bosses Jorginho and Marco Verratti in Spain debut against Italy

The Barca academy graduate was a shock addition to Luis Enrique's squad for the UEFA Nations League, and it was an even bigger surprise when he was named in the starting line up to face Italy.

Gavi has played just eight games of senior football totalling 409 minutes, with the toughest task yet coming last time out in a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

And against Italy, things stepped up a level with a Euro 2020 winning midfield snapping at his heels.

However, the youngster more than lived up to the challenge, always in space to receive a pass, and always finding a teammate.

Wearing the No.9 shirt on the night, Gavi was key in Spain's win, helping win the midfield battle as Manchester City's Ferran Torres finished off two wonderful goals.

Spain manager Luis Enrique has managed some of the game's greatest ever players in Lionel Messi, Neymar, Xavi Hernandez and Francesco Totti, but still had some high praise for his newest star.

"We're talking about a rare case in Gavi," said Luis Enrique. "He is playing on the pitch as if it's the backyard of his house. He's the present and future of the national team.

"He's a player who can play between the lines, doesn't lose the ball, has good technique, and is physical.

"We knew what he would bring; personality, willingness to play, courage. Nothing is too much for him. He is a very complete player."

The former Real Betis youngster managed 53 passes with an 89% success rate, helping Spain break down the European champions and carry the ball up the pitch.

He also chipped in defensively throughout, constantly getting in the faces of Jorginho and Verratti, making four tackles.

Luis Enrique famously made headlines when he picked a 24-man squad for Euro 2020, leaving two slots empty, and the Gavi call-up was just as big a shock.

But the former Barcelona coach wasn't at all surprised, saying he's been on the radar for a while.

"Absolutely, it was his first game but we know him, and those that know him, are not surprised," he said.

"This is not a normal situation, with such a personality and so much football in one player so young.

"Quite typical in our system, he's a player who can play between the lines he wouldn't lose the ball he's got technical qualities enough to give that last assist, good physique also so he's the future of selection of course, but also as we can see it's present."

Unlike Luis Enrique, vice president of the Italian Football Federation, Demetrio Albertini, was surprised by the youngster.

The former Milan, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona compared him to a unique player who made his international debut even younger at just 16 years of age.

"Gavi is an exception, he's Francesco Totti, let's call him that," Albertini said. "But in Spain players can come through at second teams, where talent is confronted with experience.

"A talented player can be seen right away, there he has the courage that when you give him the opportunity he takes it without fear."

Since the game reports have emerged that Barcelona are attempted to extend Gavi's contract at the Nou Camp, and are offering a five-year deal.