Joan Garcia: "My dream is to play in a World Cup, but right now I'm only thinking about saving Espanyol."

BarcelonaEspanyol's most notable figure over the past year is, without a doubt, Joan Garcia. In March 2024, he became a regular in the Second Division, and a year later, just days before his 24th birthday, he is the goalkeeper with the most saves in the First Division (101) and one of the five goalkeepers with the most saves in Europe's top five leagues. The Sallent native has become one of the league's biggest revelations after a busy summer, with a promotion, an Olympic gold medal, and rumors of a possible sale. This summer, there will be no shortage of suitors.The goalkeeper meets with ARA before facing one of his rivals, Atlético de Madrid (4:15 p.m., Movistar LaLiga), to reflect on his improvement and his pending goals and dreams.

In one year, you've gone from being a substitute in the Second Division to being the most in-form goalkeeper in the First Division. How do you cope with such a drastic change?

Naturally. When I wasn't playing, I trained hard, taking advantage of every day to improve and stay prepared. Now that I've had the opportunity, I'm taking advantage of it. I'm feeling very comfortable playing, and I'm very happy with all the work I've done. I hope good things continue to come.

Who decided not to let you go on loan?

You want to be where you can get playing time. The club, my team, and I considered leaving, but I ultimately decided against it in order to continue growing here, where sooner or later the opportunity would come. At one point, I thought maybe another option would have been better, but every year is different and you never know what can happen. I wanted to play, but I know how to put things into perspective. I knew I was very young and that it would be difficult to get an opportunity, but I believed in my work and was focused on improving. A few years ago, I dwelled more on mistakes. I've improved a lot when it comes to understanding the game, knowing what actions you can participate in and when it's better not to. I can still improve in many ways, especially on a technical level: moving, repositioning, blocking...

You were there three years in the shadows from Diego López and Pacheco. Did the wait seem too long?

There are moments of everything. Some days I was unmotivated and thought maybe something else would be better for my development, but you have to adapt to all situations. Even though I wasn't playing, I learned a lot from a top-level team, not just on the field, but also mentally. Diego López and Tommy N'Kono taught me to wait for my moment, to work hard, to never give up, and to stay motivated day in and day out. Young goalkeepers need consistency to gain confidence. Manolo has given me a lot; even if I made mistakes or didn't have a good game, I kept playing. If you don't perform well one day or make a mistake and don't keep playing, you don't improve or gain confidence.

You're the goalkeeper with the most saves in this league. What does this tell you?

I'd rather be the one who has to save the fewest or concede the fewest goals. I've been feeling good lately, as has the team. The coach has found the key defensively, he's found the way the team feels most comfortable, and that's key. We all have a clear idea of what to do with and without the ball.

In Son Moix you stopped two penaltiesAgainst Betis, you stopped another player. Do you analyze them a lot?

Before the match, I look at who the main kickers are and where they usually kick, but we don't spend a lot of time there because at this level, the kicker can place the ball anywhere. Some players vary their running style depending on whether they kick to one side or the other. I try to concentrate and think about which side the kicker prefers. And when I decide on a side, I'm convinced the ball will go there and I stretch out with the thought that I have to stop it. We goalkeepers have nothing to lose in penalties, and we try to play on the forwards' nerves.

Does accumulating merit strikes strengthen you mentally?

Yes, the mind is extremely important. If I string together a couple of good moves, my confidence rises. If I don't do so well, I try not to let it affect me as much. It's important to start the game well, focused, and have a good first move. That way, everything that comes afterward is easier.

We're talking about the Spanish national team, which played Nations League matches this week. Did you expect to be in the squad?

Obviously, I was somewhat excited. I wish I could have gone, but I don't give it much thought. There are three very good, incredibly talented goalkeepers.

There's the World Cup next year. Are you seeing it?

It's not a clear goal I have set, but I'm excited to think it could happen. My dream as a footballer is to play in a World Cup. I have to keep working, and if it happens, it would be a huge reward for me.

How did you experience last summer, full of rumors about a hypothetical exit to Arsenal?

It was peculiar. We finished the season late because play-off And then came the Olympics. When I returned, La Liga was already starting, so I barely had time to worry. I knew I'd probably stay, although in football you never know what can happen, because it wasn't up to me whether a club would pay my release clause. I was pretty clear that I wanted to be here and achieve my goal with Espanyol. I try to stay somewhat isolated from everything that's being said. Rumors have never distracted me from what I want at any given moment. Only you know how you are, how you feel, and what your goal is.

Is your wish for this summer to resolve your future as soon as possible?

Yes, although in the end you never know if it can be quick or take longer, if new things can emerge or not... Right now, I'm just thinking about finishing the season fulfilling the primary objective, which is to save the category. If we continue on this path, we're sure to achieve it. Then it's time to rest. And we'll see when we look ahead to next season.