Today, the Martorell central is once again the center of attention. Hansi Flick has turned him into an essential wild card for Barça, a leading footballer in the eleven who can play at the center of the defense – his natural position – as well as pivot or occupy the side. Versatility and minutes that have made him deserving of a renewal until 2031 that he signed this same Thursday. “He is an example for the youngsters in the squad,” says the club, which highlights the “maturity and commitment” of an Eric who brings “talent and leadership” to the team. But Eric’s landing at Barça was anything but an easy road. The team mourned Messi’s departure and would sail aimlessly through La Liga and Europe, with Koeman sacked and Xavi Hernández taking over in November. With Piqué and Lenglet in the dressing room, in addition to Araujo who combined the position of winger and center, Eric was not guaranteed ownership. In any case, he played a remarkable role: he played 36 of the 45 games in which he was available – he was out for a month in January – and started 32 times. In the end it was 2,809 minutes, 69% of the possible total.
Míchel persuades Eric to sign for Girona
Anyway, the sensations were not entirely good. Formed in the Barça youth team and later tutored by Pep Guardiola in Manchester, he was recognized as a good player on the ball but was considered weak in hand-to-hand and aerial play. In his second season he lost prominence. He played 32 of the 51 games, only 18 of which as a starter. In total he played 1,815 minutes, 40% of the possible total for a team that won the League but went back to Europe. The sports management had doubts and then the option of Girona appeared. Míchel called him to convince him, and the operation, a transfer without a purchase option, was closed at the end of August.
“We thought the transfer was a good idea in case he could get minutes and reassess himself. Although at the time we didn’t think he could come back to stay,” points out an authorized Barça voice. In Montilivi, things went very well for Eric. He started in all 30 League games in which he was available. He was only a substitute in the Cup, due to the rotations. In total, 2,673 minutes, 90% of the possible total. He was part of a historic Girona that would end up qualifying to play in the Champions League. He would also discover his goalscoring side, with five goals.
Girona and Míchel were delighted with Eric. They wanted him to continue. But the summer of 2024 was a year of change for Barça, which continued to be unable to sign normally due to the fair play financial In addition, Hansi Flick landed on the bench, so the club got back the central Martorell. Again, the ghosts appeared. By the time he had earned the start, an adductor injury sidelined him for nearly two months. The return was difficult. The team was already made and Cubarsí and Iñigo were the starting midfielders, with Araujo as a substitute.
Summer of 2025: leaving Barça is not an option
Around Christmas 2024, Míchel calls Eric again. At first, the player seems convinced to return to Montilivi, but then two things happen. The first, that Flick is against it. And the second, that Girona is not thinking of a transfer but of a definitive purchase. Eric decides to listen to the coach and continues in the Barça dressing room. The decision would be “key”, as the footballer has admitted in the renewal. He didn’t have as many minutes as he would have liked, but they were more than in his last year at Barça (2,104), and with five goals. Most importantly, he began to notice the confidence of the coach, who thought of him not only as a center but as a wild card. “One day we had an emergency and Flick asked me if he could see me there, on the side. I had already played there at Girona and I told him I could adapt to it. In the end, the more positions I can occupy, the more options I have to play.”
Last summer, Girona knocked on the door again to buy Eric, but it was closed. “I had no doubts, I made it clear to my representative. I’m enjoying it a lot, here,” says the player. The data confirms that the decision was correct. At the age of 24, he is essential for Flick’s eleven: he has played in all 22 games of the course, and started in 19. That’s 1,680 minutes out of a possible 1,980, 85%. “Whether he plays or not, I’ve always believed that he could start at Barça”, says the player. Time has proved him right.
