Gavi started at Camp Nou and was one of the dominant forces in Barcelona's midfield, helping control a match that was effectively won inside the opening 20 minutes through Marcus Rashford's free-kick and Ferran Torres's second.
He began by describing what the match with Real Madrid meant to him personally after two consecutive seasons disrupted by serious knee and hamstring injuries.
"I have suffered a lot unfortunately in these last two years. It is football. There are serious injuries and you have to be mentally strong. I have been. It is a strength of mine. I am at this level because of the mentality I have. It is not easy to play at this pace coming back from two serious injuries. I have done it and I am proud."
On his relationship with Flick, whose father passed away this morning and who delivered an emotional address to the squad before the match: "Luckily the coach trusts me a lot. He is like a father to me. I am very grateful to him. It is not easy to put me straight back into play after this injury. He knows my talent and my mentality and that it is important for the team. He trusts me completely."
A heated moment between himself and Vinícius Júnior drew widespread attention. Gavi addressed it directly.
"It is football what happened with Vinicius. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. He is a hot-tempered player, like me. Vinicius is a great player. I told him to shut his mouth and that was it. One thing is what happens on the pitch and another is off it. On the pitch I defend my colours and go all out. Off it I am totally different, although it may not seem that way."
He was equally warm when reflecting on his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé.
"Ousmane is my brother. From the moment he arrived here, he has always been my brother. We have a lot of contact, we always talk — and I am very happy for him because he is one of the best players in the world right now, if not the best alongside Lamine."
On what remains of the season and the World Cup ahead, Gavi was clear about his hunger.
"Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente has always trusted me. I know that. I was injured with Spain in that match and had played everything with him as a starter. I came back last season and he called me. If I am at my maximum level, the coach decides and he will decide what is best for Spain. I am more than ready and I feel better than ever."