Barcelona stopper Joan Garcia put in another impressive showing on Wednesday night, keeping yet another clean sheet as Hansi Flick’s side eased into the Spanish Super Cup final by thrashing Athletic Club.
Yet it was a different story for his opposite number. Unai Simon shipped five in the Athletic Club goal and will certainly not want to see replays of Roony Bardghji’s strike again.
The game came just days after Joan Garcia put in a monstrous showing against former club Espanyol. The goalkeeper shut out all the noise to keep a clean sheet and walk off with a very deserved MVP award.
Garcia then faced the press ahead of the match against Athletic Club and was asked about his chance of being Spain’s No. 1 at World Cup 2026.
“I wouldn’t set it as a goal. My goal is to keep improving in every match with Barça. Every player wants to play for the national team. If it happens, I’ll be very proud,” was the calm and classy response from Barca’s No. 1.
Garcia’s words aren’t too much of a surprise either. He has taken everything in his stride since taking over from Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona and has shone throughout the campaign so far.
His performances have led to calls for Garcia to receive his first call-up to the Spain squad, and it seems likely he will get the nod for La Finalissima in March against Argentina.
Yet Simon remains a big favorite of boss Luis de la Fuente, don’t forget the pair have worked together for a long time now, and he’s started almost every major competition since being called up in 2020.
De la Fuente also has David Raya and Alex Remiro to think about, meaning he has a really tough decision to make when it comes to selecting his No. 1.
He’s also been asked about Garcia and had the following to say just before Christmas.
“We have five or six of the best goalkeepers in the world, but no one talks about Robert Sanchez or Leo Roman either. And Joan Garcia, of course,” he told AS.
“We have fantastic goalkeepers in Spain, fantastic. It is true that we are currently betting on these three, and we are delighted with Unai, David, and Alex.
“But we will see what happens between now and March or between now and June, God only knows. Calm down. At that point, we’ll have to make the decision that needs to be made. Some people will like it more than others. I will be convinced that the decision I make is the best one.”
Certainly on current form, it’s hard to look past Garcia who is already looking a brilliant bit of business by Barcelona.
Former director Toni Freixa is certainly in no doubt and thinks De La Fuente knows as well, telling El Chiringuito: “We all know that the best is Joan Garcia, even De la Fuente. But he wants to avoid the consequences of making the change.”
The big question now is whether De la Fuente will change his No. 1 for the World Cup. Will Garcia get the nod? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
