Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has declared former captain Carles Puyol as his role model, which is sure to go down well with Culer’s fans. Garcia also opened up about their two defeats to Girona and Atletico Madrid, his role as a leader and the complexities of the dressing room.
Alarm bells rang in Barcelona after those two losses, both in the same fashion, with Hansi Flick seemingly lacking solutions. His aggressive style saw his players caught up and there were suggestions that other players felt they should work harder. Garcia noted that the stunning defeat to Atletico Madrid was a combination of several factors.
“Against Atletico, everything came together in the first half. It was a matter of strength and attitude. In the semi final of the Copa del Rey, we had to come out with a different mindset. The disallowed goal, seven minutes of game time, upset us a lot. And against Girona, we suffered a lot; it was a difficult game, the game ended. It was a week to talk about many things and improve against Levante, the team did what it had to do,” he told MD.
🚨 OFFICIAL: FC Barcelona will face Newcastle United or PSG in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Who would you like? 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/3l2Y7HHXQd
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 25, 2026
“Playing every three days usually doesn’t give you time to analyze things, because you always have a game that will change what you did before.” These two quiet weeks have allowed us to talk, train more, strengthen our way of doing things, and I think it’s been good.”
‘If we have to argue, we argue’ – Eric Garcia
Although only 25 years old, Garcia is one of Barcelona’s most experienced players, a role in which he has excelled.
“I wouldn’t put it this way, but the trust we all have means that sometimes… Raphinha, for example, who gets very angry, if we have to argue, we argue. It won’t be intense; we will continue to love each other. I think it’s good that we can tell each other things as they are.”
“In the writing room, there’s a time for everything, and you have to get along with your teammates. Some can be enthusiastic about a joke or two; others need a good message, something that can really motivate them. We’re all different, and that’s something I enjoy doing.”
Garcia has been the most used player this season under Hansi Flick, who almost left the club last January due to a lack of game time. This year Flick has been successful in praising Garcia, and in particular, his leadership skills.
“The manager asks us to talk, to talk, to share how we feel and what we see on the pitch that maybe they don’t see well. He wants us to be true to ourselves. This week, after losing two games, it was time to talk and see how we can improve, because we enter the most important stage: the Champions League, La Liga, the second leg of the Copa Rey but sometimes the result has been very good. Until that game, everything was going well, and now, because of the two games, it seems that everything scattered.
Regarding being a leader, Garcia cited Puyol and Javier Mascherano as players he modeled his game after.
“Puyol, above all. From what I was able to talk to him about, what I saw from him since I was young, what he was conveying. And Mascherano too. They are two of the best people, with dedication, smart on the field, and who give everything. I have a close relationship with Puyi. He always tries to help me; he is approachable and approachable.”
“[Puyol has helped me] About the right attitude and commitment. With hard work, things can be achieved. He is a good role model.”
Variation of Garcia
Garcia started the season playing at right back, where he filled in well for Jules Kounde last season, before finding games in midfield. Most of his appearances have been as a fullback this year, his natural position.
“I’ve always liked to adapt. My year at Girona opened me up to that. Now it’s normal, especially at the beginning of the season. A little from December onwards, but it helps you grow and be useful to the team.”
“I have always played as a full-back. I feel comfortable at full-back; almost all my time I have played there in Girona. I find it very difficult to play as a defensive midfielder, but I adapt to the type of game.”
With Frenkie de Jong’s recent injury, Flick may decide to use Garcia in midfield again. That said, it seems that his preferred partnership is between Garcia and Pau Cubarsi at the back, which means that Barcelona will have to try the partnership between Ronald Araujo and Cubarsi at a key point of the season.
