Eric García returns from a well-deserved break after becoming world champion with Spain, and does so with his head full of reflections on his experience. The Barcelona defender, one of the eight Blaugrana players who won the World Cup, has spoken to Cadena COPE to analyse the success with the national team and also his ambitions for the upcoming season at Camp Nou.

"It was not chance, it was mental work"

The most revealing part of his appearance, as reported by mundodeportivo.com, is how the Martorell defender refers to Ferran Torres's goal in the final. García insists it was not luck, but the result of very specific prior work: both players share a psychologist, and that mental work was key for the Blaugrana forward to be the one to score the goal that won them the World Cup.

"Both Ferran and I are unshakeable. Our job is to play football, which is a privilege. Things can go better or worse, but you always have to be there with the right attitude," explained the midfielder. And then he was more direct: "It is no coincidence that the goal that won us the World Cup was scored by him".

A dream debut in the final

The curious thing is that García had barely played anything in the tournament until that decisive moment. He found out he would play in the final when the manager confirmed it days before, after a whole week of specific preparation. "I had been preparing in case the opportunity came at some point, and look, in the end it had to come in the final," the Martorell player recalled with a smile.

His ability to adapt and be ready was decisive. According to García, the national team began to see the title as something possible following specific tactical changes: Enzo Fernández's red card in a previous match and the subsequent inclusion of an extra defender instead of Julián Álvarez marked the turning point in the tournament.

Higher goals: the Champions League with Barça

Although he already boasts an enviable trophy cabinet at just 25 years old, García is ambitious. When asked about his next challenges, he had no doubts: the Champions League is the unfinished business he wants to resolve wearing Blaugrana.

"Every player wants to win, to win titles, and that is what we are here for," said the defender with conviction. It is not a complaint about what has been achieved—quite the opposite, he knows his career to date is exceptional—but rather an affirmation of a winning mentality from someone who knows that at Barcelona the demands are always maximum.

Back to work

García confirmed that he will rejoin FC Barcelona's squad on 12 August, when the holiday ends and pre-season training begins under the orders of Hansi Flick. The German coach will have at his disposal a squad with eight world champions, a level of international experience that few teams can boast.

In the meantime, the footballer is enjoying the recognition and affection that the champions received at the celebration events. It has been a summer to remember, although Barcelona are already thinking about the next chapter: how to turn all that potential into a new Champions League.