‘I wasn’t expecting it’: Barcelona versatile star shares excitement after World Cup call-up | OneFootball

While most of Barcelona’s players called up for the Spanish national team were the usual suspects, some names came as a surprise.

One of the players whose call-up was unexpected was Eric Garcia, and the player’s hard-work and consistency over the past year paid off with great dividends as he was named in Luis de la Fuente’s final list.

It remains to be seen what role the Spaniard plays in the World Cup and whether he is seen as a starter or a substitute option. In either case, his versatility and quality suggest that he will have minutes to reflect his importance.

Garcia is excited about the World Cup

The Barcelona defender spoke to RAC1 (h/t MARCA) in a recent interview where he revealed his excitement about being called up for the World Cup by Luis de la Fuente.

“I wasn’t expecting it. Obviously, I had hope, but I wasn’t 100% sure. I found out when the video was released; nobody calls you beforehand.”

“I was working with the fitness coach when I saw it. I gave him a big hug and then spoke with my parents,” he added, reliving the moment.

Eric Garcia will play for Spain at the World Cup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The player was then asked about the lack of any Real Madrid representation and Barcelona having as many as eight players, to which he highlighted that the dominance could have been even more.

“In the end, Gerard has had a good season, and Bernal comes to train with us. We have a great base of players who can play for Spain. It’s a credit to the club and to us.”

He then spoke on how he was excited to join the national team next week and time was seemingly not moving forward.

“This week is dragging on forever for me.”

On his personal ambitions and development

Garcia has been tipped to become a first-team captain for Barcelona in the years to come, and the player was asked about what it would mean to him.

“Everyone would love it. I’ve always been a captain at the youth level. It’s not something you go looking for. It comes naturally from each person’s character.”

He then revealed how he works with a psychologist to help him stay in the best mental state possible given all the pressure that comes with being a Barcelona player.

Excited for the World Cup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Three or four years ago I started working with a psychologist because, at the end of the day, we’re normal people. You know when you’ve played well or badly, you don’t need to read the press to know that.”

“But when there are personal insults or people start involving your family, that’s when you really suffer. From the beginning, I tried to take things calmly,” he added.

The defender was then asked about his social media usage, to which he said,

“I hardly spend any time on social media or pay attention to what people say about me. I don’t need to know what others think.”

“I know whether I’ve played well or badly, and the coach speaks to me about it as well,” he added.

The player was then asked jovially if Hansi Flick knew Spanish, to which Garcia jokingly suggested that the manager may well be playing a charade.

“I think he’s fooling us and actually understands everything we say (laughs). He has a strong character when he needs to show it, and doing it in another language probably adds an extra effect.”