FC Barcelona’s recent acquisition, goalkeeper Joan Garcia, has been thrust into a distressing situation following his controversial transfer from city rivals Espanyol. The 24-year-old, who signed a six-year contract with the La Liga champions on June 18 after Barcelona activated his €25 million release clause, has reportedly changed his phone number due to a barrage of threatening messages and calls from enraged Espanyol supporters.
Garcia, a standout performer last season with 146 saves in La Liga, played a pivotal role in Espanyol’s survival against relegation. His move to Barcelona, the first direct transfer between the fierce Catalan rivals in 31 years, has been perceived by many Espanyol fans as a betrayal. The backlash has escalated beyond social media trolling and memes, with reports indicating that Garcia’s family and friends have also received death threats. His phone number was allegedly leaked, forcing him to disable comments on his Instagram farewell message to Espanyol fans.
According to a report by SPORT, Garcia has been largely confined to his home in Sallent, Barcelona, for safety reasons since arriving in the city. He declined an invitation to a birthday party on Wednesday, opting to limit outings to visits with close friends. The emotional toll of the situation has been compounded by public criticism from former Espanyol president Joan Collet, who labeled Garcia’s decision as a betrayal, stating, “It’s hard to forgive, as he’s gone to the side of the monster.”
Despite the hostility, Garcia addressed Espanyol fans in a video posted on social media, acknowledging their anger but describing his decision as “carefully considered” for his career, family, and the club’s benefit. Barcelona, meanwhile, celebrated Garcia’s arrival, presenting him on Friday as their first signing of the summer transfer window under manager Hansi Flick. The goalkeeper, who will compete with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny for the starting spot, expressed optimism about his future, stating, “I want to win as much as possible with Barça.”
The transfer has also drawn attention from the broader football community. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised Garcia’s talent but warned that his national team spot is not guaranteed, noting the depth of Spanish goalkeeping talent. Additionally, posts on X highlight the intensity of the fan reaction, with some users reporting graffiti in Garcia’s hometown branding him a “traitor” and “rat” as early as June 4, when rumors of the transfer surfaced.
Espanyol issued a cold, one-line statement confirming the activation of Garcia’s release clause, while their social media post announcing his departure took a humorous jab at the goalkeeper. The club is expected to use the transfer fee to bolster their squad after finishing 14th in La Liga last season.