Joan García: 'La Liga isn't lost — and it wasn't won before either'
Barcelona's Joan García opens up on the title race, his pre-match rituals, Spain ambitions, and life at the Camp Nou in a wide-ranging interview with MARCA.
Barcelona’s 24-year-old keeper Joan García has been one of the stories of the Spanish season — and in a lengthy sit-down with MARCA, he’s shown he’s got the head to match the gloves.
The title race? Calm down, everyone
With Real Madrid having clawed back the gap at the top of La Liga, there’s been a fair bit of doom and gloom around the Barça fanbase. García isn’t having any of it. As he put it, “neither was La Liga won before, nor is it lost now” — which is about as level-headed as it gets. He’s adamant Barça still control their own destiny across all three competitions — La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey — and that’s the only thing worth focusing on.
Settling in at the Camp Nou
Garcia arrived this summer after Barça triggered his release clause from city rivals Espanyol — not exactly the most comfortable of exits — and he’s been immense. The numbers back it up:
- 11 clean sheets (9 in La Liga)
- 29 goals conceded in 28 appearances across all comps
- Named best save of the month in January for a crucial stop against Pere Milla — his former Espanyol teammate — in the derby
He says he always came to the Camp Nou with the intention of being number one, and Hansi Flick made it clear from the off that he was wanted. That sort of backing from a manager matters, and García was refreshingly honest about it.
Eyes on the Spain squad — but no obsession
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, García knows a call-up to La Roja is a real possibility. He’s not losing sleep over it though — quite literally, he says nothing keeps him up at night. His approach is simple: keep working, keep improving, and let the results do the talking. He acknowledges Spain’s embarrassment of riches in goal — Oblak’s his favourite in La Liga, David Raya tops his Champions League list — but sees the competition as a positive rather than a threat.
The rituals and the real Joan García
Off the pitch, he comes across as a proper down-to-earth lad. A few bits that stood out:
- Pre-match meal: salmon, rice, and egg the night before every game
- Walk-out playlist: Eminem’s Not Afraid followed by Rihanna’s Live Your Life — every single time
- On the pitch: touches all three posts and the ball before kick-off
- Closest mates in the dressing room: Éric García (knew him already) and Dani Olmo
- Describes Hansi Flick in one word: “father”
- Lamine Yamal’s best quality? “Magic.” Fair.
Where Barça need to improve
He’s not burying his head in the sand either. García is candid that the team have been conceding too early in matches — something they’ve discussed internally — and that individual errors within the system are costing them. He’s also notably diplomatic on the refereeing controversy, essentially saying it’s a waste of energy to moan about things outside your control. Wise head on young shoulders, this one.
The Copa del Rey comeback
As for the Copa del Rey second leg against Atlético — having been hammered at the Metropolitano — García reckons a comeback is very much on. He’s urging patience though: don’t go chasing the second goal before you’ve got the first. Make Atleti uncomfortable from the off, and the possibilities are real.
All in all, García is shaping up to be one of the signings of the season in Spain. The lad’s got quality, composure, and — crucially — the right mentality for a club of Barcelona’s size. Watch this space.
Source: MARCA – Joan García interview