After his MVP performance against Real Betis, Gonzalo spoke to the media
Gonzalo García couldn’t have picked a better moment to deliver the performance of his young Real Madrid career. A flawless hat-trick in a 5–1 demolition of Real Betis put the academy striker firmly in the spotlight, but in the mixed zone afterward, García was keen to shift the focus away from himself and back onto the collective.
“It’s a special afternoon,” García said. “I’m very happy about the goals, but even happier with the team’s performance and the victory.”
Despite the noise that inevitably follows a hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabéu, the 20-year-old made it clear he remains grounded — and fully aware of his place in the squad hierarchy.
“I don’t read the press,” he explained. “This is Real Madrid, the competition is fierce here, and I know I’m Mbappé’s natural backup… but the manager and all my teammates always give me the confidence to do my best.
“It’s true that I’m getting few minutes, but that’s because Mbappé is ahead of me and he’s having a spectacular season,” García said. “He’s practically scoring a goal per game. He’s the best player in the world, so what I have to do is focus on myself and give my all in every training session. Work as hard as I can so that when these opportunities arise, I’m ready.”
Ready is exactly what García was against Betis. All three of his goals were thunderous finishes, leaving fans debating which one stood out most — a question he refused to answer.
“I’ve been asked the same question before and it’s really difficult to choose,” he smiled. “They’re all three special goals, so it’s impossible to pick just one.”
Beyond the individual brilliance, García made a point to highlight what the night meant for La Fábrica as a whole. With Raúl Asensio and Fran García also getting on the scoresheet, it was a statement evening for academy graduates.
“All of today’s goals are an example for all the academy players working at Valdebebas,” he said. “Not only mine, but also those of Asensio and Fran García show that with hard work and effort, anything is possible.”
García also addressed the inevitable comparisons to club legend Raúl — comparisons he treats with respect rather than pressure.
“I said it at the time, while acknowledging the differences with Raúl, who is a legend at this club, it’s an honor to be compared to him,” García said. “Both Raúl and Arbeloa have been great coaches and have helped me a lot to become who I am today.”
Category: General Sports
