Joan García was Espanyol’s golden boy. A homegrown talent who climbed through the ranks, spent his entire career at the club, and finally claimed the starting goalkeeper spot last season. Then Barcelona came calling—the archrival, the enemy. And just like that, García swapped blue and white for blaugrana.
A €25 million release clause was triggered. A five-year contract signed. And a storm of backlash followed. Former Espanyol president Joan Collet didn’t hold back. “It’s not about sports—it’s about pride,” he told Spanish radio. “He went to the monster. He let down his teammates, the coach, the fans.”
The move wasn’t just a transfer—it was treason in the eyes of Espanyol supporters. García’s phone allegedly blew up with threats and angry messages. Collet, though furious, drew a line. “Boos? Fine. But no violence. If it were up to me, I’d have the whole stadium waving a giant Joan García banner—in Espanyol colors—kissing the badge.”
Barcelona isn’t just any rival. It’s the rival. For García, the challenge isn’t just proving himself at a bigger club—it’s walking onto the pitch at Estadi Cornellà-El Prat and facing the crowd that once adored him. The whistles will be loud. The banners brutal. And the story? Far from over.