Former coach predicts Barcelona star is destined to be Spain’s future No.1: ‘Could become one of the best in history’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona goalkeeping coach Ruben Martinez has delivered a powerful endorsement of Joan Garcia, making it clear that he believes the current Barcelona No.1 is destined to become Spain’s starting goalkeeper in the future.

Martinez’s opinion carries weight, as he knows Garcia extremely well, having worked closely with him during his time as a goalkeeping coach with Spain’s Under-21 national team, when Luis de la Fuente was in charge. 

Speaking in an interview with SPORT, Martinez did not hesitate to set the bar extremely high. 

He stated that the goalkeeper has the ceiling to become “one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Barça and Spanish football.”

Martinez then addressed whether Joan Garcia’s rapid rise surprised him at all. 

“The truth is that I wasn’t surprised. I expected it. We spent the entire Olympic Games together, and it was clear that he had what it takes to be on a big team.”

National team debut awaits

Despite his strong performances, Garcia has not yet been called up by the senior national team. 

Joan Garcia is yet to make his national team debut. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Martinez was asked whether the goalkeeper would accept a secondary role if selected. 

“Surely yes, but it’s a decision that only the coach can make, and he will have his reasons. There are still a few months to go, and it’s not out of the question. 

“The form of each goalkeeper will be assessed. It’s not an easy decision, because Unai Simón has had a very good run, and in the end, they will decide.”

When questioned directly about whether he would take Garcia to a World Cup squad, Martinez again stressed balance and caution. 

“It’s normal that when you put a team together, you try to take the best players. Both the coach and his staff will weigh the pros and cons. It’s not an easy decision.”

What makes Joan Garcia special?

Martinez was also clear about what separates Garcia from many other goalkeepers. When asked about his standout quality, he replied, 

“His composure above all else. He is a brave goalkeeper, very confident in everything he does. 

“He has mastered many aspects of the game, both offensively and defensively. And something very important: the few mistakes he has made do not affect him.”

That composure, according to Martinez, is essential for a club like Barcelona. Explaining why Garcia fits the club’s identity, he said, 

“He is a goalkeeper tailor-made for Barça’s style of play. He has greatly improved his footwork. 

“At Espanyol, he had less work to do, and there were some doubts about his offensive abilities here, but he has proven to be a very complete goalkeeper who plays very well with his feet.”

The inevitable

Looking ahead to the long term, Martinez believes age is firmly on Garcia’s side. Assessing his potential, he confidently stated, 

Former coach has backed the Barcelona number 1. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

“Sooner or later, he will be the starting goalkeeper for the Spanish national team, and in a few years, he could become one of the best goalkeepers in Barça’s history if he keeps progressing like this. 

“He could make history in Spanish football.”

The decision to choose Barcelona over a potential Premier League move was not without risk, and Martinez acknowledged that context before giving his view. He explained, 

“He made the right choice, but we also have the example of David Raya, who adapted to the Premier League and is performing at a very high level. 

“If you have talent, it doesn’t matter which league you’re in. Given his characteristics, we’re going to enjoy Joan a lot.”

Finally, Martinez addressed whether training alongside elite goalkeepers like Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczęsny adds pressure or benefits Garcia’s growth. 

Framing it as a positive challenge, he concluded, “It’s great for him to have two goalkeepers of that calibre. 

“It forces you to be focused in every training session and give 100%. I’m sure he’ll learn a lot from these two great goalkeepers.”