Barcelona defender continues to build strong case for Spain recall ahead of 2026 World Cup – Report | OneFootball

Over the last few months, Eric Garcia has quietly become one of the most important pillars of this FC Barcelona side under Hansi Flick. Once viewed as a rotational defender, the La Masia graduate has grown into one of the most trusted and regularly used players in the squad.

His importance was once again evident against Mallorca, a match that marked his 55th consecutive appearance for Barcelona. Since missing the Champions League game against Benfica on March 5, 2025, Garcia has not been absent for a single fixture.

This season, the 25-year-old defender has accumulated more than 2,700 minutes out of a possible 3,240 and has featured in all 36 matches played by La Blaugrana. Not even a fractured nose suffered against Club Brugge was enough to keep him sidelined.

Hansi Flick has relied heavily on Garcia’s versatility, using him across multiple positions. He has performed as a centre back, both full back roles, and even as a defensive midfielder, making him a valuable tactical asset in a demanding campaign.

His influence is also backed by numbers. Garcia is among Barcelona’s most reliable passers, recording an 89 to 91 percent passing accuracy in La Liga and other domestic competitions. In the Champions League, his accuracy stands at an impressive 90.5%, completing 468 of 506 attempted passes.

With him on the pitch, Barcelona concede just 0.83 goals per match, highlighting his defensive impact. Beyond possession, he also contributes actively through ball recoveries and tackles, proving his all-around value to the team.

According to Mundo Deportivo, such performances have reignited the discussion around his return to the Spanish national team. Garcia has not featured for Spain in recent times, but his current form places him firmly back in contention.

He made his senior debut on September 6, 2020, replacing Sergio Ramos in a 4-0 Nations League win over Ukraine. He later represented Spain at Euro 2020 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and was included in the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, although he did not play a single minute in the tournament.

Now, with Barcelona enjoying strong form and Garcia emerging as a leader on and off the pitch, the defender appears to have earned genuine merit for a place in Luis de la Fuente’s plans. If his consistency continues, it might convince Luis de la Fuente to give him a place in the World Cup squad.