Barcelona veteran full of praise for key star – ‘Much better than me’ | OneFootball

Barcelona veteran full of praise for key star – ‘Much better than me’ | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: Barca Universal

Barca Universal

·11 May 2026

Barcelona veteran full of praise for key star – ‘Much better than me’

Article image:Barcelona veteran full of praise for key star – ‘Much better than me’

Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid last night had two major aspects – the Catalans’ two early goals and the defence’s shift that saw a clean sheet earned in the big name.

The goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, needless to say, benefited massively from the result as it only further solidifies his position as the favourite for the Zamora Trophy.


OneFootball Videos


To have such numbers and be the favourite for that title, all while playing in a system that deploys a high defensive line, proves what a special goalkeeper the new Barcelona signing is.


Szczesny speaks

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny spoke to Polish outlet Eleven Sports via Mundo Deportivo after the team’s win over Real Madrid, and he had only words of massive praise for Joan Garcia.

“Barça’s goal is in very good hands. It’s strange and it makes me come back to reality; it’s the first time I play with a goalkeeper much better than me,” he said.

He then clarified that even though he did share a dressing room with Allison Becker at AS Roma, the situation with Garcia is different.

“Alisson? It was great, but it didn’t reach the level it reached later. Joan Garcia is totally different.”

Article image:Barcelona veteran full of praise for key star – ‘Much better than me’

Szczesny rates Joan Garcia very highly. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The veteran star then spoke wholeheartedly about his role in the dressing room and about how he is embracing a role that has more mentoring than actual minutes on the field.

“On the one hand, it is a little unfair to Joan Garcia. Clearly, I am no longer from the European elite that I was used to in my previous career years.”

“On the other hand, I find it much easier to accept that someone is simply much better. My job is to support him, not compete with him,” he added.

Szczesny then humoured the media with a joke about how he is enjoying a dream ‘retired’ life, saying,

“I think I have already broken the Guinness World Record for the player with the most trophies after his retirement. I’m very happy about it.”

“I already have five and I would like to get to nine. I still have four to win in my last season,” he added.

Finally, he confirmed that he has no intention of leaving Barcelona in the summer and that he will see his contract out.

“I can still and I still feel like it.”

View publisher imprint