Rubén Blanco ready for Girona battle: 'I'm here to respect and fight for my place'
Former Celta and Marseille goalkeeper Rubén Blanco joins Girona on a short-term deal, discussing his readiness to compete despite recent inactivity.
Girona’s newest shot-stopper is ready to challenge for the number one jersey despite not playing a competitive match since February 2024.
Fresh Start in Catalonia
Rubén Blanco has joined Girona as a free agent after terminating his contract with Marseille in January, signing until the end of the season on minimum wages. The Galician keeper, who spent most of his career at boyhood club Celta Vigo before his brief French adventure, arrives at Montilivi with a refreshing attitude despite his recent spell on the sidelines.
“I’m feeling good. Obviously I haven’t played for a long time, but I’ve been training normally and I’m prepared to help from day one,” Blanco explained during his unveiling.
Quick Negotiations
The move happened rapidly after Blanco found himself training alone at home following his Marseille exit. While acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances around Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury at Barcelona (which likely created ripple effects in the goalkeeper market), Blanco revealed his long-standing interest in Girona’s project.
“It was all very quick. Girona has always caught my attention, and everything was very straightforward,” he said.
Competition for the Gloves
Blanco joins a goalkeeper department that includes Paulo Gazzaniga and Vlad, but he’s not worried about potential disadvantages from his lack of recent match action. Instead, he’s focused on healthy competition:
“I don’t know if I’m starting at a disadvantage. The competition will be healthy, and having more demands in training will be good for Girona. Each of us has personal objectives, but they must be compatible with the group’s goals. I’m here to respect my teammates and fight for a place.”
Playing Style
The 29-year-old believes his attributes align well with Girona’s possession-based approach:
“I’m attracted to Girona being a team that wants the ball. I like being a goalkeeper who can play, but we’re also in an era where we shouldn’t forget that a goalkeeper has to make saves. I consider myself complete – I enjoy having the ball, but I also know how to help the team defensively.”
With the business end of the season approaching, Blanco could prove a shrewd addition as Girona continue their remarkable campaign in La Liga and Europe. The keeper’s short-term deal gives him the perfect platform to revive his career while potentially contributing to one of Spanish football’s most exciting projects.