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Article Summary
Eric García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a center-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Born Eric García Martret in Martorell, Barcelona, on 9 January 2001, he joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2008. At 16, he moved to Manchester City, making 19 first-team appearances before returning to Barcelona in 2021. After a loan to Girona in 2023-24, he established himself as a key player under Hansi Flick, signing a contract extension until 2031. García was a surprise inclusion in Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, making his tournament debut in the final against Argentina as Spain secured victory. He has also won the 2024 Olympic gold medal, the 2023 UEFA Nations League, and three La Liga titles. His net worth is estimated at approximately €40 million.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric García Martret |
| Born | 9 January 2001 |
| Birthplace | Martorell, Barcelona, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 25 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Centre-back / Defensive midfielder / Right-back |
| Current Club | Barcelona |
| Jersey Number | 24 |
| Net Worth | Estimated €40 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Eric García Martret was born on 9 January 2001 in Martorell, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Growing up in the Catalan region, García was immersed in football from a young age and joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2008. He progressed through the youth ranks at the club, from U10B to the U19 squad, honing his skills as a ball-playing center-back. However, in 2017, at the age of 16, he made the difficult decision to leave Barcelona for Manchester City’s academy.
Club Career
Manchester City (2017-2021)
García joined Manchester City’s youth setup in 2017 and quickly progressed to the first team. He made his official debut just before his 18th birthday on 18 December 2018 against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. He went on to make 19 appearances for the city’s first team. During his time at Manchester City, he won the Premier League in the 2020/21 season and three League Cups.
Return to Barcelona (2021-Present)
In the summer of 2021, García returned to Barcelona on a free transfer from Manchester City. He made his second debut for the club on 15 August 2021. In his return season, he became an important defender under Ronald Koeman and later Xavi Hernández, known for his ability to play the ball out from the back.
In September 2022, he scored his first goal for the first team in a 3-0 win away at Sevilla.
Loan to Girona (2023-2024)
In the 2023/24 season, García went out on loan to Catalan neighbors Girona in search of regular playing time. He made 32 appearances and scored five goals, helping the club secure a third-place finish in La Liga and qualification for the Champions League.
Return and Versatility Under Hansi Flick
García returned from loan in the 2024/25 season and played a vital role under new manager Hansi Flick. He showed his versatility by playing in defense, midfield, and even right-back. He scored a crucial goal in the 4-3 victory over Real Madrid at Montjuïc and reached 100 appearances for Barcelona in March 2025.
In December 2025, García signed a contract extension with Barcelona, keeping him at the club until 2031. Flick praised him as a potential future captain, saying: “At the level he is at, he is fantastic… He could be captain in the future.”
International Career
García represented Spain at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, U19, and U21 teams. He won the European Under-17 Championship in 2017 and the European Under-19 Championship in 2019.
He made his senior debut for Spain in 2020 and was part of the squad for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though he did not play a single minute at the latter. After Qatar 2022, García was completely absent from the senior national team for over three years.
2024 Olympic Gold and Nations League
García won a gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was also part of the squad that won the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
2026 FIFA World Cup
García was a surprise inclusion in Spain’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earning his first call-up since Qatar 2022. Manager Luis de la Fuente said of his selection: “Eric [Garcia] has been with me before. I know what kind of person he is, and he is going to fit right in with this group.” He wore the number 4 shirt for the tournament.
In the World Cup final against Argentina on 19 July 2026, García was brought on as a 99th-minute substitute for Aymeric Laporte. He completed 10 of his 12 passes as Spain held on to win 1-0 after extra time. After the final whistle, an altercation occurred with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, who grabbed García by the throat. Despite the incident, García became a World Cup winner.
Major Achievements
Barcelona
- La Liga: 2022/23, 2024/25, 2025/26
- Copa del Rey: 2024/25
- Spanish Super Cup: 2022/23, 2024/25, 2025/26
Manchester City
Spain National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
- Olympic Games Gold Medal: 2024
- UEFA Nations League: 2023
- European Under-19 Championship: 2019
- European Under-17 Championship: 2017
Personal Life
García keeps his personal life relatively private. He is known for his professionalism and dedication. In December 2025, he signed a new contract with Barcelona, stating, “I’ve been living the dream I’ve had since I was a child, to succeed at Barça and win many trophies.” He has spoken about his ambition to play his whole career at Barcelona.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Eric García is a World Cup winner with Spain, having made his tournament debut in the final against Argentina. He is under contract with Barcelona until 2031 and has a market value of approximately €40 million.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
| Spanish Super Cup | To be confirmed |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2025/26 | La Liga | Won (with Barcelona) |
| 2024/25 | La Liga | Won (with Barcelona) |
| 2024 | Olympic Games Gold Medal | Won (with Spain) |
| 2022/23 | La Liga | Won (with Barcelona) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Born in Martorell, Barcelona, Spain |
| 2008 | Joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy |
| 2017 | Moved to Manchester City’s academy |
| 2018 | Made senior debut for Manchester City |
| 2020 | Made senior debut for Spain |
| 2021 | Returned to Barcelona on a free transfer |
| 2022 | Part of Spain’s World Cup squad (did not play) |
| 2023 | Won UEFA Nations League with Spain |
| 2023-24 | Loaned to Girona (32 appearances, 5 goals) |
| 2024 | Won Olympic gold with Spain |
| 2025 | Reached 100 appearances for Barcelona |
| 2025 | Signed contract extension until 2031 |
| 2026 | Won World Cup with Spain; made tournament debut in final |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 2018-2021 | 19 | 0 |
| Barcelona | 2021-Present | 115 | 4 |
| Girona (loan) | 2023-2024 | 32 | 5 |
International Caps: 23 | International Goals: 0
FAQs
How old is Eric García?
Eric García was born on 9 January 2001 in Martorell, Spain, which makes him 25 years old as of 2026.
What is Eric García’s net worth?
Eric García’s net worth is estimated at approximately €40 million as of 2026. He earns an estimated €153,846 gross per week at Barcelona.
Which club does Eric García play for?
Eric García plays as a center-back for La Liga club Barcelona. He has a contract with the club until 2031.
Did Eric García win the World Cup?
Yes. García was part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad and made his tournament debut in the final against Argentina, coming on as a substitute in the 99th minute.
What trophies has Eric García won?
García has won three La Liga titles (2022/23, 2024/25, 2025/26), the Copa del Rey (2024/25), three Spanish Super Cups, the UEFA Nations League (2023), an Olympic gold medal (2024), and the FIFA World Cup (2026).
Is Eric García married?
Eric García keeps his personal life private. No public information is available about his relationship status.
What is Eric García’s height?
Eric García stands at 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches).
What position does Eric García play?
Eric García primarily plays as a center-back but is also versatile enough to play as a defensive midfielder or right-back.
What is Eric García’s contract situation?
García signed a contract extension with Barcelona in December 2025, keeping him at the club until 2031.
Where is Eric García from?
Eric García was born in Martorell, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Eric García is a Spanish defender born on 9 January 2001 in Martorell, Barcelona.
- He came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy before moving to Manchester City and returning to Barça in 2021.
- He had a successful loan spell at Girona in 2023-24 and has become a key player under Hansi Flick.
- He signed a contract extension with Barcelona until 2031.
- He won the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, making his tournament debut in the final.
- He has also won the 2024 Olympic gold medal, the 2023 UEFA Nations League, and three La Liga titles.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately €40 million.
Conclusion
Eric García’s journey from the youth ranks of La Masia to lifting the World Cup is a story of perseverance, versatility, and unwavering self-belief. After leaving Barcelona for Manchester City as a teenager, he returned to his boyhood club to fulfill his dream. A loan at Girona and a period out of the Spain squad could have derailed his career, but he fought back to become a key player under Hansi Flick, earning a contract extension until 2031 and a surprise World Cup call-up. In the 2026 World Cup final, he made his tournament debut, helping Spain secure victory against Argentina. At just 25 years old, with a World Cup winners’ medal, three La Liga titles, and a long-term contract at Barcelona, Eric García’s story is far from finished.
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