Who should be Spains…

This week marks the awarding of the first trophy of the Spanish domestic season, the Spanish Supercopa. More than just a title at stake, the tournament will shine a light on the fierce competition for the title of Spain‘s top goalkeeper with the men’s World Cup just five months away. And for those holding out hopes, Arsenal fans, it’s important to note that while Mikel Arteta’s side is making waves in the Premier League and Champions League thanks to David Raya‘s outstanding performances, he’s not in the conversation for the national team’s starting position.

The key candidates are the current holder, Athletic Club‘s Unai Simón, whose season has been marred by minor yet impactful errors, and Barcelona‘s 24-year-old uncapped goalkeeper, Joan García, who has been showcasing remarkable skills, akin to a robotic keeper defying the odds against top-tier professionals.

For fans who enjoy the element of drama, Wednesday’s matchup between Simón and García is enticing, as Athletic Club takes on Barcelona in the first Supercopa semifinal.

Interestingly, the only Spanish goalkeeper to have won more international titles than Unai Simón is legendary Iker Casillas—who guarded the net during Spain’s last World Cup victory in 2010. Simón, raised as the son of a police officer, has an unshakeable mentality that allows him to remain calm under pressure and excel in one-on-one scenarios.

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Despite his accolades as a trophy winner, much like Casillas, Simón is not a flawless player and often finds himself in precarious situations.

Recall instances such as his unfortunate own goal after losing focus with a backpass from Pedri against Croatia during Euro 2020, or when he misdirected a pass to Rodrygo in a 3-3 draw with Brazil in 2024.

I am undeniably a fan of Unai Simón; he exudes the qualities of a winner and nurtures team spirit. Nevertheless, he’s presenting García with an opportunity to emerge as a serious contender.

After discussing Simón with fellow Basque and double-Champions League finalist Gaizka Mendieta, he noted, “Unai often leaves you with a moment of uncertainty.”

This description captures Simón’s tendency to cause anxious moments during gameplay. This past weekend’s match previewed what’s ahead with Wednesday’s face-off in Saudi Arabia.

In his most recent game, Simón conceded a long-range free-kick that he mishandled, igniting the crowd’s excitement, yet it highlighted his recurring mistakes.

On the other hand, García dazzled on Saturday, delivering a match-winning performance in a 2-0 derby victory against their rival city club, Espanyol.

For those who witnessed the game, you’ll recall the hostility García faced, only to rise above it with a performance to remember. Notably, special arrangements were made to protect García from potential assaults by hostile fans.

His incredible saves throughout the match—such as a close-range header from Pere Milla, an impressive one-on-one stop, and a full-length dive to deny a close shot from Carlos Romero—were worth the price of admission alone. The moment that showcased his exceptional talent came in the 20th minute, and could very well be deemed one of the season’s best plays in Spain, if not Europe.

Let me explain: Espanyol launched a counterattack, and their powerful center forward, Roberto Fernandez, found himself one-on-one with García. After an instinctive save from García, the ball ricocheted, but he quickly read the unfolding situation. García pushed his defender, Gerard Martín, onto Milla, resulting in Martín blocking the shot, albeit at a cost to his own body.

Joan García used his own teammate Gerard Martín to make the save 💀 pic.twitter.com/EEhYrjePwS

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 3, 2026

On first glance, viewers might have thought Milla was at risk of a red card. However, upon a second viewing, it became clear that García’s strategy was both cunning and effective, as he checked up on Martín afterward, though Martín likely experienced significant discomfort.

After the match, Hansi Flick praised García, remarking, “I’m extremely grateful to Joan. He’s one of the best keepers in the world—he won’t forget how well he performed here tonight.” Fellow player Lamine Yamal exclaimed on social media, “Mother of God, what a goalkeeper!”

So, what’s the dilemma? Spain’s coach, Luis De La Fuente, who has led Spain to the forefront of World Cup contention after considerable success in recent tournaments, has yet to even consider including García in the national squad. While Simón’s position as the starting goalkeeper appeared secure in 2025, given that Spain surged through their World Cup qualifying group without conceding a goal in their first five outings, the conversation about García’s emergence has intensified. Notably, reports from Diario AS suggested, “Barcelona may have found their version of Courtois,” given García’s impressive save percentage of 79% this season.

Spain’s next fixture, depending on the resolution of internal disputes within Argentina, will be against the reigning World Champions in March: the anticipated Finalissima. Might this be the opportunity García needs?

In a recent interview, De La Fuente was asked about his goalkeeping options for the World Cup, which currently include Unai, David Raya, and Remiro. His response was, “We have five or six of the world’s best goalkeepers. Right now, we’re focused on Unai, Raya, and Remiro, but there’s plenty of time between now and June to see how things develop.”

Anyone familiar with the Spain coach knows that it would take something dramatic for Simón to lose his spot. Last summer, Simón conveyed to me, “What truly defines Luis De La Fuente is his capacity to foster a cohesive group. I believe that in national teams, especially during extended camps like the World Cup, cultivating a positive atmosphere is crucial. He excels at that.”

“Luis’s real strength lies in unifying the team, helping us feel as connected while at the national level as we do in our clubs.”

An environment that encapsulates both loyalty and ruthlessness. De La Fuente will be observing closely in Saudi Arabia, weighing evidence on both of these incredible talents. The question remains, which side of his character will he ultimately reveal: loyalty or ruthlessness?