He did not find out in a press conference or a grand dressing-room announcement. Joan García learned he had earned his first senior Spain call-up in a gym, shirtless, mid-individual training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Friday. A member of the technical staff walked in and gave him the news. He did not stop to put a shirt on. He reached straight for his phone and started calling his parents — first his father Jerónimo, then his mother Teresa, then his partner Anna.
That detail, reported by Mundo Deportivo, tells you everything about what this moment means.
Luis de la Fuente named his 27-man Spain squad for the March international friendlies against Serbia (March 27, Villarreal) and Egypt (March 31, RCDE Stadium) — the matches replacing the Finalissima against Argentina, cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Among the four debut call-ups was García, who has kept 11 clean sheets in 22 La Liga appearances this season after joining from city rivals Espanyol last summer. He joins an already crowded goalkeeping group that includes Unai Simón, David Raya and Álex Remiro — four keepers in one squad, an unusual move that reflects just how highly De la Fuente rates the Barcelona number one.
"Joan García is a tremendous goalkeeper — we did not just discover him now," the Spain manager said. "He has been an Under-21 international for five years. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world." The possibility of a debut against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium — the ground of his former club Espanyol — has not been lost on anyone in Barcelona.
García was a fitness doubt this week after being replaced late in the 7-2 demolition of Newcastle United, but Barcelona quickly reassured the Spanish federation's medical staff that he was available and fully fit. He is one of seven Barcelona players in the squad alongside Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo. Notably absent are Gavi — only one brief substitute appearance since returning from knee surgery — and Alejandro Balde, who remains injured.
