The FC Barcelona locker room became a powder keg after the devastating 4-0 defeat suffered at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Goalkeeper Joan García, the involuntary protagonist of the first goals conceded, would have broken out into a strong internal discussion where he refused to be made the scapegoat for the collective debacle.
According to sources close to the club and leaks that have circulated quickly on social networks and specialized media, the Catalan goalkeeper would have vehemently exclaimed: “I have given my life for this club, but I will not allow myself to be made a scapegoat!”
The explosion came in the minutes after the final whistle, in an atmosphere full of frustration and reproaches. Joan García, who arrived at Barça in the summer of 2025 from Espanyol after an outstanding season and a large investment, was the center of criticism for two key actions at the beginning of the match.
In the 7th minute, a back pass from Eric García – his teammate by last name but not by family – ended in a blunder: the ball slipped under his foot when he tried to control it, allowing it to cross the line into an own goal and opening the scoring for the colchoneros. Just a few minutes later, in the 14th minute, a false start and a miscalculation in control allowed Antoine Griezmann to score 2-0, unleashing the red-and-white gale that culminated in goals from Ademola Lookman and Julián Álvarez before the break.
Although García made a spectacular save in the first moments against Giuliano Simeone, saving what could have been an early goal, subsequent errors overshadowed his performance and placed him in the spotlight. Hansi Flick, in a press conference, avoided pointing directly to his goalkeeper, insisting that “it was a bad game for the entire team, with individual errors for which we paid dearly and a lack of collective intensity that cannot be repeated.” However, in the locker room the tension escalated.
Eyewitnesses report that García, visibly affected, confronted teammates and members of the technical staff who directly blamed him for the initial collapse. «I am not the only one responsible for tonight. We all fail in pressure, in output and in concentration. If they want to make me the culprit, let them say it clearly,” the goalkeeper would have snapped.
The climax came with a brutal ultimatum: “Support me or I’m leaving on Saturday.” This statement, which has generated commotion among the culé fans, reflects the fatigue of a player who feels betrayed after giving everything since his arrival. Joan García has been the undisputed starter in most of the games since his signing, standing out for his confidence between the sticks, good footwork and leadership at the back. Many consider him one of the best goalkeepers in the world today, with a potential that placed him in the debate for the goalkeeper of the Spanish team.
Losing him now, in the middle of the decisive stretch of the season, would be a very hard blow for Flick and Laporta’s project.
The Blaugrana fans, through social networks, have launched support campaigns with messages such as “WE CAN’T LOSE THE BEST GOALKEEPER IN THE WORLD!” and hashtags that defend his figure. «Joan is not the problem, she is part of the solution. Mistakes happen, but blaming everything on him is unfair,” wrote a follower on
Within the club, the situation generates concern. Joan Laporta, who has already had to deal with internal tensions this season – including pressure for forced sales and criticism of refereeing – is now facing a possible conflict with one of his star signings. Internal sources indicate that the president and Deco, sports director, are holding urgent conversations to calm things down and avoid a hasty exit. «Joan is key to our project. Nobody wants him to leave, but we have to publicly support him and collectively assume responsibilities,” commented a member of the management environment.
The sporting context aggravates the crisis. The 4-0 score leaves Barcelona on the brink of elimination in the Copa del Rey, forcing them to make a historic comeback at the Camp Nou next Tuesday. Flick has called for unity and total concentration to reverse the tie, but the strained atmosphere could affect performance. Eric García, also accused of his pass back and subsequent expulsion in the 85th minute for a straight red card, remains publicly silent, but his relationship with the goalkeeper seems strained after the episode.
Joan García, 24, has demonstrated his quality on multiple occasions: decisive saves in La Liga, contributions to the team’s momentary leadership and a profile that fits perfectly into Flick’s style of possession and starting from behind. His possible departure – which could be activated this Saturday if he does not receive the expected support – would open a debate about the culé goal and would force us to look for urgent alternatives in a market complicated by financial limitations.
The Barça locker room needs to close ranks quickly. Joan García’s explosion is not just an emotional outburst; It is a cry for help in the face of what is perceived as injustice. If the club does not respond with strong support, the risk of losing an elite goalkeeper is real. Meanwhile, the fans are crying out for unity: Barça cannot afford to get rid of who many see as the guardian of the future.
The return against Atlético will be much more than a match; It will be the test of whether the team knows how to overcome its internal demons or if the fracture becomes irreversible.
Saturday is presented as a key date. Will Joan García receive the support she demands? Or will the ultimatum become reality? Barça, once again, is risking its stability in the middle of the storm.
