Real Madrid News
Fran Garcia opens up on sudden Real Madrid summer exit: ‘Did not speak to Mourinho before leaving’
Until last season, one player who had an important squad role at Real Madrid was Fran Garcia.
Although he was not always a starter for the club, the Spaniard had some impactful performances when given a chance.
Fran initially competed with Ferland Mendy for the left-back position, but Los Blancos then brought in Alvaro Carreras and Marc Cucurella in two successive summer windows.
Garcia has opened up on the abrupt end to his Real Madrid career, revealing just how quickly his summer move to Real Betis came together.
Garcia understood the writing was on the wall
Speaking to El Larguero, Garcia explained that the arrivals of Marc Cucurella and Alvaro Carreras made his position increasingly difficult.
“When Real Madrid signed Cucurella, I understood that he and Carreras would have priority because they signed for a lot of money,” Garcia said.
Rather than expressing bitterness about the situation, the former Madrid defender focused on what representing the club meant to him.
“I fulfilled my childhood dream at Real Madrid. I wanted to enjoy it and compete. I couldn’t be happier.”
Garcia was even more emphatic about where his loyalties remain after leaving:
“I’m a Madridista. I always have been and always will be.”
No Mourinho conversation in the summer
Perhaps the most surprising detail was Garcia explaining how quickly his departure happened.
“I did not speak to Jose Mourinho before leaving for Real Betis,” Garcia revealed.
“My agents called me at 10pm and told me we’re leaving for Seville tomorrow to sign for Real Betis. I didn’t even have shin pads or boots.”
Garcia seemingly went from being part of Mourinho’s squad to preparing for a new life in Seville in almost no time.
Even if he had held a conversation with the Portuguese tactician, the 27-year-old was smart enough to understand what the club’s position would have been.
There would have been understandable disappointment after seeing his pathway effectively closed by two new arrivals, but Garcia seems to have made his peace.
“Honestly, I’ve made some amazing friendships at Real Madrid, and I think that’s one of the beautiful things football gives you as well.”
The decision that Madrid made was ultimately about reshaping the position. Cucurella and Carreras were brought in to add some fresh energy to the left-back role.
Garcia may no longer wear white, but his heart still seems to hold a special place for the Santiago Bernabeu. It remains to be seen how he fares at Real Betis.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid academy strategy pays off with €210m windfall and 34 Spain internationals – report
Real Madrid’s academy has been a huge success story in recent seasons, even if not many players have found a place in the first team.
Los Blancos have used Castilla as one of the main sources of revenue to fund their first team, and the value of the academy has continued to increase.
According to AS, Madrid generated €210 million from academy-related player operations during the summer.
Meanwhile, 34 players developed at the club have represented Spain across the different men’s national-team age groups during the current international period.
Valdebebas producing players at every level
That international presence stretches from the senior Spain squad, featuring academy products Ivan Fresneda, Victor Munoz and Fran Garcia, all the way down to the Under-16s.
The results at academy level have also been impressive, with Madrid securing the league, Champions Cup, Youth League and Intercontinental Cup.
Behind those results is a structure involving around 300 players, 50 coaches and 40 scouts, with academy director Manuel Fernandez overseeing the project.
The objective is not simply to build youth teams capable of winning trophies. Madrid want players with genuine elite potential.
Some, such as Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch, can eventually help the first team. Others can develop into valuable assets sought by clubs across Europe’s top leagues.
€210 million demonstrates the financial value
The financial pathway has become increasingly important.
Madrid’s €210 million return was driven by several major operations, including €60 million from Como for Nico Paz and €40 million from Fulham for Gonzalo Garcia.
Victor Munoz, Mario Gila, Alvaro Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Palacios and Jacobo were among the other academy products whose moves exceeded €10 million.
Crucially, most of that €210 million came from footballers who never held a permanent first-team squad place.
La Fabrica does not need every player to become a starter
The strongest argument for Madrid’s model is that an academy cannot realistically produce a first-team starter every season when the senior squad is already at such a high level.
Judging La Fabrica only by how many youngsters establish themselves at the Bernabeu therefore misses much of its value.
Madrid are creating several successful outcomes instead: first-team players, internationals and valuable footballers who generate significant transfer income.
Thirty-four Spain representatives and €210 million in one summer tell you that the proof is in the pudding.
Madrid will hope their academy can continue to be as productive in the coming years, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
