Joan Garcia talks Flick, Ter Stegen, Szczesny, Camp Nou, Champions League, Spain NT | OneFootball

Joan Garcia has only been an FC Barcelona player for seven months, but he has already made a huge impact in his debut season, endearing himself to the Culers.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who arrived from RCD Espanyol, has fitted into the scheme of things seamlessly, making valuable contributions on the field, even helping the team to their first trophy of the season – the Spanish Super Cup.

Having received the 2025 Breakthrough Award at the Festa de l’Esport Català last Monday, Garcia sat down for an exclusive interview with SPORT before the event, where he discussed what joining Barcelona had meant for him.

Kicking things off, the goalkeeper explained how he was welcomed warmly in the Barcelona locker room upon his arrival in the summer, saying:

“Yes, very well. I already knew some of them, especially after playing together in the national youth teams. It’s a young dressing room, which also helps you settle in if you’re young like me.

“They’ve welcomed me very warmly, even those I didn’t know or didn’t have much contact with. The truth is, I’m very happy.”

Garcia added: “It’s my new home and I was the new guy, but they’ve made it very easy for me. It’s a very good group and very friendly, I’ve noticed that.”

On whether Barcelona and the move to the club has been exactly like what he had imagined, the shot-stopper remarked:

“Yes, I came here really eager, knowing that it would be a big change in my career. I knew it would be a young dressing room, with a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and that’s what I’ve found.

“It was a big change, especially in terms of playing style, but I’m feeling comfortable and that’s the most important thing.”

Regarding his excellent adaptation to Barcelona, he added: “There’s a lot of work behind it, playing with confidence, knowing that you’re prepared. Obviously, there’s room for improvement, but I’m feeling confident and secure, which is what you need.

“And especially in the goalkeeper position, I’m happy with how things are going.”

Excelling at Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

One of the doubts from the outside, upon his arrival, concerned his footwork, but that has hardly been a problem.

“It’s very important nowadays for goalkeepers, whatever team you’re in, but it’s true that in recent years I’ve been working hard on it and I’ve been feeling more comfortable year after year,” explained Garcia.

“At Barça, it’s perhaps a little more pronounced, and I’ve had to use it more, but at Espanyol I was already feeling comfortable, my teammates used me a lot, and in that sense I’m very proud of my improvement, knowing that I can still do better.”

Talking about what the club’s goalkeeping coach, Jose Ramon de la Fuente, asks of him, Garcia stated:

“Mainly details that are perhaps a little different from what I was used to. Positioning, reading the game… Dela [De la Fuente] and Tek [Wojciech Szczesny] are helping me a lot with these details, and I try to soak up as much as possible, which is what I’m doing.”

On what manager Hansi Flick has conveyed to him so far in his debut season, the goalkeeper replied:

“That he has a lot of confidence in me. Obviously, when he has to correct me, he does, but for a player, and especially for one who is new to the team, it’s very important to feel that confidence from the coach.

“What I try to do is repay that confidence on the pitch, that’s what I have to do.”

Talking about the aspect of goalkeeping he enjoys the most, Garcia elaborated: “Everything! I prefer not to have any shots on goal and to win every match without conceding, but every day is different.

“It’s true that at Barça we don’t play so much as a low block and you have to be alert to many other things, but I feel comfortable in all areas. A goalkeeper has to work on everything he might encounter.

“Sometimes you work more, sometimes less, sometimes you play more with your feet, other times you have to participate in aerial play… You have to be ready for anything.”

On how he manages to transmit calmness under pressure during matches, he remarked:

“Finals, playing for titles, is something I wasn’t used to, but we all like playing these kinds of matches. Once you step onto the pitch, you focus on what you have to do and shut out everything else. Yes, I really like it, and that’s what we’re here for.”

When asked to name his best match in Barcelona colours so far, Garcia named the Super Cup final win vs Real Madrid and the Catalan derby triumph against Espanyol.

“I’d say two: the Super Cup final, because of what it meant… It was also my first title, and against Real Madrid,” he said.

“And the other one, my return to Espanyol’s ground. It was also a special match for me and it went as well as it possibly could, so I’m very happy with those two matches.”

Garcia has already made vital contributions for Barcelona. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Shedding light on his experience of training with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny at the club, Garcia noted:

“Yes, yes, of course, obviously. Unfortunately, in the first part of the season, [Ter Stegen] was injured and we couldn’t spend as much time together, but in recent months we’ve been able to share more…

“He’s been at Barça for many years at the highest level, performing spectacularly, and of course, I learn from him! He’s the captain and has the respect of the whole squad. I’m very proud to have shared a dressing room with him.”

The goalkeeper also acknowledged that he was surprised by the stature and the global impact scale of Barcelona, saying:

“What has surprised me most of all is Barça’s impact, not only in Barcelona or Catalonia, but in every city and even every country. It’s something you see and notice from the outside, but when you’re on the inside, you go to any city, any country…

“We’ve been to Saudi Arabia, Japan… And it’s incredible how much it moves people and the feeling you see in the fans. At airports, in hotels… It’s spectacular. That’s what has surprised me the most.”

On how he visualises his career at Barcelona unfolding, he replied: “I imagine myself being here for many years, winning lots of titles and having lots of success.

“So far, I’ve won the first one (Spanish Super Cup) and we’re still in contention in all the competitions we can win this year.

“Obviously, yes, you imagine yourself winning lots of things, but the important thing is what happens in the next game and you have to work on that. And if you do well, trust yourself and dream big, everything will come to you.”

Highlighting the UEFA Champions League as a major objective, he added: “Yes, definitely. At club level, winning the Champions League is the most important thing for any footballer. Everyone likes to play at the highest level, and here I can do that.

“And specifically, there’s a special atmosphere in the Champions League. I’m happy to be able to experience it.”

Recollecting his experience of playing at the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time ever, Garcia said:

“Very good. In the end, we were really looking forward to playing there. Now we want to have the maximum capacity possible, but little by little we’re seeing the atmosphere that needs to be there, and hopefully we’ll soon be able to have more people inside.”

On his ambitions of playing for the Spanish national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Garcia, who is yet to be called up by Luis de la Fuente, stated:

“My goal is to have the best year possible and then, if I’m lucky enough to go, enjoy the World Cup, experience it from the inside and fight to win it, so much the better. Hopefully that will be the case.”

On whether he had spoken with De la Fuente, he said: “No, no, no.”

Regarding the upcoming Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, he added: “When they announce the call-up, if I’m lucky and I’m there, I’ll enjoy it.”