Sunday, January 4, 2026, 16:12
Joan García is a true gem for Barcelona. The Sallent goal was consecrated this Saturday in the worst possible environment. In the middle of an RCDE Stadium enraged by his departure to the eternal rival, he shone, made worthwhile interventions and demonstrated the necessary personality to be indisputable in one of the best teams in the world. It is the confirmation that Barcelona got it right in the summer with its signing and that it has found a goalkeeper for many years.
And what Joan García had to endure this weekend required a bulletproof character. He was whistled during the warm-up and 90 minutes, saw bills with his face and even banners calling him a rat. All from a hobby that until a few months ago was theirs and all without losing composure, prepared at all times to be decisive. Meanwhile, he led the Barça defense with continuous orders and prepared for an exhibition that was going to leave all of Spanish football speechless.
Joan García opened the season with a one-on-one against Roberto and before the break he made one of the saves of the year after a shot by Pere Milla at point-blank range when the entire stands were already on their feet to celebrate the goal. It was a crucial intervention for a disoriented Barça that needed to stay alive in the middle of the Spanish cauldron. In the second half he made several more interventions, including another one-on-one against a frustrated Roberto that contrasted with the euphoria of Hansi Flick, who later praised his goalkeeper. «It was fantastic, an incredible performance. I have spoken with him, but I have seen him as always, he was calm, confident and focused. That’s why he has played at that level. You watch today’s game and you see how important it is to have it. “I’m happy to have him with us,” declared the German.
A national debate
Flick’s words are the general feeling of all Barcelona fans. Joan García has landed on his feet at the Barça club and in just a few months he has been able to settle the debates about his quality with his footwork or internal competition with Szczesny and Ter Stegen. Now he is “number one”, as Flick has been responsible for remembering on several occasions at a press conference, and some colleagues who have already surrendered to his qualities also know it. “It’s spectacular, we know it’s a great goalkeeper,” said Fermín, while Dani Olmo assured that “it’s incredible, it’s giving us and it’s going to give us a lot.” It was the beginning of a cascade that exploded on social networks when the goalkeeper uploaded a photo of the crash and his teammates responded. “Mother of beautiful love, what a goalkeeper,” said Lamine, “Madness,” said Balde, or “Incredible,” snapped Ferran. Everyone is amazed by Joan García.
The great level of the Barcelona goalkeeper has opened a debate that seemed not to exist. Luis de la Fuente has always believed in the trio formed by Unai Simón, David Raya and Álex Remiro, in that order, but Joan García’s performances are a hammer that knocks again and again on the door of the coach, who has always tried by all means to avoid questions about it. There are less than three months left for the Finalissima and six for the World Cup and Joan García continues adding merits to change a list in which it seemed impossible to enter. Meanwhile, Barça is rubbing its hands with the 24-year-old goalkeeper, who has managed to make the 26 million paid last summer now a real bargain.
