Fran Garcia Reveals the Pressure of Playing for Real Madrid

Surrounding yourself with a team of big stars and facing high-pressure situations, as at Real Madrid, can be complicated for some.

Real Betis's current left-back, Fran Garcia, doesn't have to imagine anything, as he knows the white club perfectly after 10 seasons there. He knows the defensive load he had to live with when he played for his former team.

Garcia had to leave behind the club he had dreamed of since childhood. Officially transferred from Real Madrid to the Seville-based club in July 2026, the Spaniard hasn't had it so bad. He has played one Champions League match and 6 La Liga matches, including an assist against Valencia C.F.

He has even now been called up by Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national team, to participate in the UEFA Nations League, where he will fill in for Alejandro Grimaldo, who left the competition injured.

In an interview on Wednesday, Fran Garcia told Cadena SER about his experience at the end of the season, when he didn't know whether the club would keep him.

The 27-year-old player said that as soon as they announced the signing of left back Marc Cucurella, he understood that, since they were high-value signings, they would be the priority on the field, so he accepted his fate.

He also didn't get to talk with the new Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho. Garcia said everything happened too fast and the news took him by surprise; although the farewell caught him off guard, he still had time to say goodbye to his friends and pack his belongings.

Fran also admits that Real Madrid's decision hurt him. Even if it was only for a moment, he understands the club was going through a very difficult period and was looking for a way out of that hole.

"They had two very complicated seasons, and the club tries to find a way out of everything that is experienced day-to-day. I will always be grateful to the club for the opportunity, for allowing me to fulfill my dream, and for making me a better player and a better person."

In the same interview, he was asked whether he found it more complicated to play for the Spanish national team or Real Madrid, and Fran responded that it wasn't about the team.

When playing against heavyweights like Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jr., the Spaniard admitted they don't need you and that he came to feel he was playing without help.

"The offensive quality that Madrid has is incredible, with Vini, Mbappe, Jude, Guler, now Diomande... You have players of incredible weight, and they simply do not need you. In the end, there are times when you see yourself without help, but what they do not give in defense, they give you up front."

Although destiny did not unite Fran Garcia and Real Madrid for long, the left back is focused on his new team and has received congratulations and good treatment since he arrived, so he already considers them family.

And now, after 3 years without playing for the national team, the player is excited and grateful to contribute in whatever role he's given, ready to give his best.

Fran's next international commitment could be Saturday, Oct. 3, when Spain faces the Czech Republic in matchday 3 of 6 of the UEFA Nations League group stage.