
<p><strong>Joan Garcia</strong> will miss <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/">Barcelona</a>‘s</strong> trip to face <strong>Sevilla</strong> in Matchday 7 of the <strong>2026-27 LaLiga season</strong> after suffering a <strong>meniscus injury</strong> in his right knee. The Spanish goalkeeper picked up the problem during Wednesday’s 7-2 rout of Racing Santander, when he slipped on the wet artificial turf while chasing down a loose ball, forcing <strong>Hansi Flick</strong> to make a halftime substitution in goal.</p>



<p>Medical tests carried out on Thursday confirmed the injury and ruled out the need for surgery, with <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/joan-garcia/">Garcia</a> expected to be sidelined for around three weeks</strong>. Notably, this is not the same knee that required an operation last season, a detail that has offered some relief to Barcelona’s medical staff given the less serious nature of the current issue.</p>



<p>The timing has actually worked in Barcelona’s favor. Garcia’s recovery window overlaps with the upcoming international break, meaning the Sevilla clash is set to be his only absence before he’s expected to be available again for the visit of <strong>Getafe</strong> at <strong>Camp Nou</strong> on <strong>October 10</strong>.</p>



<p>The injury comes at an inconvenient time given how well Garcia had been playing. Across his <strong>five starts</strong> this season, <strong>the goalkeeper had conceded just four goals</strong> while recording <strong>11 saves</strong>, and his <strong>three clean sheets</strong> are tied for the most of any goalkeeper in LaLiga.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/mVnSgDHQX7">pic.twitter.com/mVnSgDHQX7</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2101204647897952756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Confirmed Barcelona lineup vs Sevilla</h2>



<p>In Garcia’s absence, Flick has turned to <strong>Dominik Livaković</strong>, who will make his Barcelona debut between the posts ahead of veteran <strong>Wojciech Szczęsny</strong>, the goalkeeper who had deputized for Garcia off the bench against Racing Santander just days earlier.</p>


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<p>Barcelona confirmed its starting XI for the trip to face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/sevilla/">Sevilla</a>: <strong>Livaković; João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Eric García; Pedri, Rodri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Anthony Gordon; Raphinha.</strong></p>



<p>Szczęsny starts on the bench alongside Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Gabriel Jesus, Xavi Espart, Karim Adeyemi, Gerard Martín, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Jules Koundé, Abdelkarim, and Iker Rodríguez.</p>


Why is Joan Garcia not playing for Barcelona vs Sevilla in the 2026-27 LaLiga season?

Why is Joan Garcia not playing for Barcelona vs Sevilla in the 2026-27 LaLiga season? - World Soccer Talk

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<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/joan-garcia/"><strong>Joan Garcia</strong></a> raised alarm bells for <strong>FC Barcelona</strong> on Wednesday, forced off at halftime in <strong>La Liga</strong> against Racing Santander after slipping off the pitch while retrieving a ball. Following medical evaluations on Thursday, <strong>the Spanish goalkeeper received encouraging news regarding his condition</strong>.</p>



<p>Since arriving from Espanyol last season, <strong>Garcia has established himself as </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/"><strong>Barcelona</strong></a><strong>‘s undisputed starter between the posts</strong>, featuring in every match across all competitions. Head coach Hansi Flick selected him in the starting XI for Matchday 6 against Racing Club, though his evening was cut short unexpectedly.</p>



<p>On a rain-soaked night in Barcelona, <strong>Garcia slipped on the turf outside the boundary lines while retrieving the ball for a goal kick</strong>. Although he didn’t fall entirely, the sharp, awkward movement immediately raised concern among coaching staff regarding potential joint damage.</p>



<p>While Garcia finished out the opening 45 minutes, <strong>he remained in the locker room at halftime as backup goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny readied himself to enter the match</strong>. It was later confirmed that Garcia suffered a knee tweak during the incident, though initial details regarding the severity were withheld pending scans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joan Garcia slipped due to the rain and got injured 💔 <a href="https://t.co/fQ2cxxnETH">pic.twitter.com/fQ2cxxnETH</a></p>— AM☬ (@AbsoluteMxssi) <a href="https://x.com/AbsoluteMxssi/status/2100325461263872068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Joan Garcia’s injury update</h2>



<p>On Thursday morning, Barcelona issued an official medical update confirming the results of Garcia’s imaging tests. “<em><strong>First team player Joan Garcia is experiencing mild discomfort in his right knee</strong>. His evolution will determine his return,</em>” the club statement read.</p>


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<p>While any knee concern causes anxiety, the prognosis brought relief to the club, as tests confirmed <strong>the issue does not involve the surgically repaired knee from his previous season</strong>. Scans revealed localized bone edema without structural meniscus involvement, offering an optimistic outlook for his recovery timeline.</p>



<p>Nonetheless, attention turns to when the 25-year-old goalkeeper will return to first-team action. <strong>Barcelona return to </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/la-liga/"><strong>La Liga</strong></a><strong> play on Saturday, September 19, against Sevilla for Matchday 7</strong>, with Garcia expected to sit out as a precautionary measure.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First team player Joan Garcia is experiencing mild discomfort in his right knee. His evolution will determine his return. <a href="https://t.co/oI6IJiK62i">pic.twitter.com/oI6IJiK62i</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2100567427603947833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>With the international break approaching, Garcia, who serves as Spain’s secondary options behind Unai Simon and David Raya, <strong>will likely remain sidelined to undergo treatment rather than joining La Roja</strong> for UEFA Nations League fixtures. Barcelona anticipate having Garcia fully fit for their return to domestic action on Sunday, October 11.</p>


Joan Garcia receives optimistic injury update from FC Barcelona after slipping while chasing ball in La Liga

Joan Garcia receives optimistic injury update from FC Barcelona after slipping while chasing ball in La Liga - World Soccer Talk

<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spain</a></strong> has a shortlist of top goalkeepers who could fit in any club in the world. <strong>Unai Simón</strong> plays for a less glamorous side with <strong>Athletic Club</strong>, but he has earned his place in the national team. His role has been important for Spain, and he compared his colleagues at <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/thibaut-courtois/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thibaut Courtois</a></strong> and <strong>Joan García</strong>.</p>



<p>Simón praised them in an interview with El Partidazo: <em>“Courtois is a goalkeeper who is always at the highest level. <strong>García is the one who comes closest</strong> because of the level he is showing and the points he is earning for his team. Barcelona are right up there because of performances like the one he had against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.”</em></p>



<p>His role in <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/luis-de-la-fuente/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luis de la Fuente</a></strong>’s team has been key in establishing Simón among the best. He looks ready to take the main spot for Spain at the World Cup, but he faces competition from Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro.</p>



<h2>Simón picks the best goalkeepers in the world</h2>



<p>The Athletic Club player is a leader for his club, and also for Spain. His humility also showed when he was asked <strong>who the best goalkeepers in the world are</strong>, and he did not include himself in the list. Instead, he first chose the best in La Liga.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/03/25153428/simon-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-630839"><figcaption>Simón was very important for Spain in their recent matches (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>For Simón, the best three goalkeepers in his own league come from the three biggest clubs, as he picked Courtois, García and <strong>Atlético Madrid</strong>’s Jan Oblak to complete the podium.</p>


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<p>As for the best three in the world, he replaced Oblak with another Spanish goalkeeper ahead of names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manuel Neuer and Emiliano Martínez. Simón said: <em>“The best three in the world are <strong>Courtois, García and Raya</strong>.”</em></p>



<h2>Simón on the Finalissima</h2>



<p>The current conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Finalissima. There was strong anticipation for the match in which Spain was set to face <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argentina</a></strong>.</p>



<p>Simón said: “It’s a special title and a perfect test of how you are arriving at the World Cup. It’s a shame it could not happen for whatever reason. I don’t know the exact motive, but I would have loved to play it.”</p>


Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón compares Thibaut Courtois with Joan García

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón compares Thibaut Courtois with Joan García - World Soccer Talk

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