Fran García (Bolaños de Calatrava, 1999) is one of the sensations of the season in Segunda. On loan from Madrid at Rayo, he has shone: he gave two assists in his first two games. That good performance has helped him to go to the U-21 for the first time (he had been an U-19 and U-17 international). The left-back attends AS to explain his current moment at Rayo, at La Rojita and his possible return to Madrid in the future (he already debuted in the Copa del Rey with the first team).
How do you feel after your first call-up with the U21s?
Very happy to be here again. I know many of my teammates from my time in the U19 and U17. Also to the coach, to whom I am very grateful because he has always trusted me. It is another step in my career that I am looking forward to.
The classification is almost achieved …
We have it very close, but in football, until it is mathematically done, you cannot relax. There is less and less for that European Championship that excites us so much, where if we qualify we will defend the title, and I want to squeeze every minute with this shirt to show the coach that I deserve to be here.
The last time he was with Spain, in the Under-19s, he injured his shoulder. Is that already history?
Yes, totally. It is true that in the past my shoulder gave me a lot of trouble, but after the last operation it is a forgotten matter. I have not had problems or discomfort again, I feel very confident and luckily I have been regularly for more than a year and without injuries.
He started out as a winger but has been a winger for years. Where are you most comfortable?
I always say that the important thing is to play, to be on the field. Even as a goalkeeper if necessary! But where I am most comfortable is on the side. It is where I can most exploit my virtues, because I have space and path to climb. When I started playing winger, after all my life playing as a winger, it was difficult for me to assimilate some defensive concepts. It is something that I have corrected over the years and I believe that now I am also strong defensively. I'm not the one who should judge my game, that's what the coaches are for, although I think I've improved a lot in that regard.
His performance at Rayo has been outstanding from day one. Did you expect to adapt so quickly to a new team and a new category?
It is true that changes always create uncertainty, but I have always been very confident in my possibilities. Both Iraola and the teammates welcomed me phenomenally from minute one and that helped me to give my best version on the field. I was fortunate to start with two assists in the first two games, and we also had three wins in four games. That charges you with confidence. It is an award for the work I have done in recent months. There have been many moments of training alone, without knowing when he was going to play again. And now I reap the fruits of all that effort.
Why do you choose the Ray?
For the confidence he showed in me. I was his first choice from the get-go. There were more clubs interested, some from First, but my priority was to find a project where they believed in me. It was also important for me to continue living in Madrid. I was leaving Madrid, which is my home, after many years, and I wanted to find a place where I could continue to feel at home. From day one I knew I was right. I'm young, I'm 21 years old, and of course my goal is to play in the First Division in the future. But I am in the place where I want to be and to fulfill that objective of playing in the highest category, what better way than to get promotion with Rayo, it would be a dream.
At the moment they are on the right track …
Yes, but it is too early. Of course our goal is to return Rayo to Primera, which is the place it deserves to be. But it is a very demanding category. If one day you give 99%, any team beats you. Only by giving 100% in each game can we reach the end of the season in those positions above.
And go back to Madrid?
Madrid is my home, the club of my heart. My goal is to play there one day. I know that they trust me, that they see me in every game and that motivates them to do things even better. Although now I am focused on the Ray. If I thought about playing a good game so that they see me in Madrid, I would be wrong. I think about playing a good game to give Rayo all three points, that's what's important now.
Marcelo, Mendy, Reguilón… The competition is strong.
Phew! You are naming me world-class players. That is Real Madrid: the best players in the world in each position. For me they are references, I look at them and try to see things in each game to reach that level in a few years. That is why I have to work every day. The demand is maximum and if one day I want to return I must become one of the best in my position. Step by step, as I have always done in my career.
Tell me about Marcelo.
What can I say! It has always been a benchmark. And after meeting him in person, even more. It is an example for all young people. Whenever I have been with the first team he has advised me, he has taken care of me. The deal he had with me was spectacular. He is still one of the best full-backs in the world and he is sure to prove it this season.
How have your experiences with the first team been?
If I'm honest the first time is impressive. You arrive nervous, shy … But it takes a minute to feel like one more. Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Asensio, Benzema … It is incredible how they welcome you so that you are confident. He went up like a boy from the quarry, wanting to enjoy, to learn. And with the illusion of being there one day.
And what about Zidane?
Very good. It gives you a lot of confidence, it tells you to do what you know, without pressure. When he talks to you, you realize that he knows you, knows how you play … He is very aware of the quarry and that gives you confidence. You take off that pressure and just dedicate yourself to doing what you know, which is playing soccer. You see that all the daily work has a reward, that they are watching you from above and that is a plus to continue working.
Finally … A goal for this season.
Only one? I could not! I'll take three: promotion, the U21 Euro Cup and the Olympic Games (laughs). You always have to want more, so right now those are my goals. If I manage to have a good season with my club, I will have options for De la Fuente to continue counting on me, so to achieve them I am clear that the important thing is daily work. It's what I think about now.