Alex Garcia (Ulldecona, June 28, 1997) is one of the football players for whom it is worth paying a ticket and also a good person, close and far from any kind of eccentricity. A few months ago, after becoming an increasingly important part of Girona’s historic season, he moved to German football to wear a Leverkusen shirt under the command of Xabi Alonso. He is enjoying this experience, he feels bad about World Cup 2026 and though he did not know when I want to play in the Spanish LaLiga again in the future. He chats about all this and more with Mundo Deportivo.
How was your landing in Leverkusen?
When you change country and culture, it’s always difficult to adapt, but the coach is Xabi Alonso and I’m lucky that Spanish is spoken in the Leverkusen locker room. In addition, I have a good level that makes it easier for me to interact with the rest of the team.
What differences have you noticed between German football and the countries where you have played so far?
About the Spanish league, where I played the most years, transitional football. In Germany there are moments when the game gets crazy. In this sense it is more like the Premier League than LaLiga.
What is Xabi Alonso in the short distance?
He became a footballer and understands well what a locker room is and the short distance to a player. Talk to us closely, a little about everything, not just about football. He is a very competitive coach and a great person.
Will he coach Real Madrid one day?
I don’t know if it will happen, but he clearly shows that his level is high. Everyone talks about it, but I find it very quiet here. If that opportunity comes to him, I am convinced that he will not be able to refuse, but I hope he will stay with us.
What is Leverkusen’s goal this season?
You have to fight for everything, but knowing that repeating last year is almost impossible. We have to fight for the title with Bayern, and also think about consolidating the team’s participation in the Champions League every year.
Individually, how do you feel?
I was lucky enough to score two goals in the last month and that gives me confidence and self-esteem. Xabi is starting to see different things in me than what other midfielders can contribute to the team and we are looking for the solution so that I can bring out my best virtues. There are times when it frustrates me that there isn’t the continuity that everyone wants, but I also accept it because I arrived in a team with a lot of quality and it’s a process. I feel better and Xabi can see it.
In which midfield position do you feel?
It’s complicated. We players have to adapt to what the coach, the team or the game demands. I can play as a ‘6’, as an ‘8’, further forward, dropping to the wing…Each game requires different things.
Where is your teammate Florian Wirtz’s ceiling?
Wherever he wants. He is so young and has made such rapid progress in such a short time. He is a great player on the field and off the field he is also focused and takes care of himself. That is very important.
Let’s talk about the Spanish team. Do you see yourself playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Obviously! I see that I have the ability. I am regularly with the national team and my goal is to be in the 2026 World Cup to do this I have to play and stand for Leverkusen. Matches and consistency will come and I am convinced that I am on the list for selection and then the coach will decide.
I asked him about another colleague. How far will Lamine Yamal go?
He has everything to be a star for as many years as he wants. Then it depends on how he manages the fame and being the center of attention. We see that what he is doing is normal but it is not and sometimes we do not remember that he is only 17 years old. You have to take care of it.
How important is the mental aspect to a footballer?
If a player is confident, he brings out his best version. Then, obviously, the physical influences, but I would say that the mentality is the most important thing.
You didn’t do well when you played in the Belgian and Romanian leagues.
They were stages I never thought I would go through. I classify those seasons as very important because they made me mature and realize the things I needed to change to play at the level I am now.
There are two types of footballers. Those who come home and disconnect and those who, apart from being soccer players, are also soccer fans. What group are you in?
I go with the seasons. I don’t spend Saturday watching soccer games from 2 to 10 pm, but if there is an interesting game during the day I watch it.
I might get killed asking you this question. What category is Ulldecona?
In Second Catalan (laughs).
He never forgets his hometown team.
Until recently, my uncle was the first team coach and my cousin was playing there. I can’t go to watch the games, but I follow it.
What goals do you have in the medium and long term?
It’s hard to answer. Football changes from one day to the next. At the moment I am very happy at Leverkusen and I have a five-year contract. I see myself returning to the Spanish LaLiga in the future. I want to go back, but I don’t know when. Right now I’m comfortable, I want to enjoy this experience and we’ll see what the future holds.
There was talk about Barça at the time.
Yes, there is a lot of talk. If it doesn’t happen, it’s because they’re not 100% convinced or I don’t know what happened. Yes, there are calls. Fortunately the Barça people called my representative, but if it didn’t happen it’s because it didn’t have to happen and I’m happy with the step I took.
If I were to give him one request, it would be to win the Champions League this season, but I tell him he has to fulfill a promise in return…
whatever. The usual thing is to shave my head, but…
It’s almost over, isn’t it?
Yes, yes. If we reach the finals of the Champions League, I will remember this interview and shave the day before, like Oriol Romeu.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
