Girona boss criticises Aleix Garcia for Barcelona comments

Girona head coach Michel has said that Aleix Garcia "made a mistake" by revealing that he "would like to play for Barcelona" at some stage in the future.

The 26-year-old has been a key part of his club's success this season, featuring on 15 occasions in Spain's top flight, scoring three goals and registering four assists in the process.

Girona are second in the La Liga table, four points above third-placed Barcelona, with the two teams due to lock horns in the league this weekend.

Ahead of the clash between the Catalan clubs, Garcia said that he wants to represent Barcelona at some point in the future.

"I would like to play for Barcelona. It is the club that I have followed since I was little and the one that I have always liked," the defensive midfielder told Movistar+.

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In response to the comments, Michel told reporters at a press conference: "The best thing that can happen to us in a long week like this is to play the Copa [del Rey], because my mind is focused entirely on Orihuela.

"It's true that for many people the game on Sunday is more important, but I think Aleix has made a mistake.

"I remember well when I was in the academy at Rayo [Vallecano] against Real Madrid, there were often times when there were more people celebrating their goals than ours, I hope that in Girona, it becomes only Girona.

"That we bring up people 100% Girona. We've started a project in which everything is possible, and that's it. Tomorrow we have an important game, and we have to be 100% focused on it."

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Garcia started his professional career at Villarreal before moving to Manchester City in 2015, spending time out on loan with Girona between 2017 and 2019.

The midfielder then represented Dinamo Bucuresti and Eibar before returning to Girona, this time on a permanent basis, in the summer of 2021.

In total, Garcia has represented his current side on 147 occasions in all competitions, scoring eight goals and registering 19 assists in the process.

Barcelona are expected to move for another midfielder next year, although there have been no indications at this stage that the club are interested in Garcia, who made his debut for Spain against Cyprus last month.