The Colombian youth that start to make history in European football are more and more. This is the case of goalkeeper Jean Paul García, who received his first official call-up with Getafe for the Europa League round of 16 match against Inter Milan, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the Italians. The 18-year-old goalkeeper remained on the substitute bench, but little by little he begins to get closer to the first team of the Spanish club.
García was born in Cali on May 24, 2002 and since he was four years old he has lived in Spain, so he has dual citizenship, however, the goalkeeper feels 100% Colombian, although his accent does not show it, and he would opt for the Colombia National Team in a hypothetical case in which he had to choose between the two national teams.
Jean Paul Garcia, alternate vs Inter Milan
INA FASSBENDER (AFP)
The archer spoke to AS Colombia about his first experiences with the Getafe first team, his memories of his trip to Germany for the Europa League and his goals for next season.
First experience with Getafe: “It was a complicated game against Inter and they are things that happen in football. Being with the first team is a unique experience, I really enjoyed the moment. It is another world. Going from the lower categories to the first team is something else, it shows the level, the experience and I was very happy to be there. “
Career in Spain: “I came to Spain at the age of 4 and from the age of seven I started in a small club, then Getafe signed me and I started working in the lower divisions until now. I try to take advantage of every opportunity they have given me so far. You have to work and be consistent in order to achieve what you want. “
Characteristics: “I am tall, I am 1.87 and as I am 18 years old I can still grow a little more. I feel like a very safe goalkeeper, I have a good game with my feet and I do well in one on one. Also, I am very focused on what I want “
Relationship with the players: “From the first moment they treated me like one more. It is difficult for a youth to reach the first team and they treated me very well. They gave me a lot of advice. Both the Mister and the players have always supported me and I am very grateful for that.”
Integrate the call: “Before we went to Germany and while we were preparing for the game against Inter, we concentrated on Oliva. The tradition is to shave the person who arrives new and it was my turn to be bald.”
Anecdote vs Inter: “I keep everything I've lived through since we arrived in Germany so far. At the end of the game I asked Handanovic for the shirt, but he told me that he had already changed it, even so he gave me his shorts.”
Colombia U20 Selection: “They have not yet called me from any team (Colombia or Spain), but I hope they will call me from the Colombia team. Although my accent is not Colombian, I feel 100% Colombian. I would like to be called from the Colombia team” .
David Ospina: “I have always liked David Ospina. I really liked his performance in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and I have followed him a lot. He seems like a great goalkeeper.”
References in the arch: “My idol has always been Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, but currently I like Marc-André ter Stegen, I don't know if it is because of the system we have here in Getafe youth or because of the height, but I really like it.”
FPC: “At home we are fans of the América de Cali, but I follow Colombian soccer a little. From time to time I check, but I focus more on European soccer.”