The rivalry between Barcelona's cross-town clubs has flared up again, thanks to a young goalkeeper's bold words. After Espanyol's former first-choice keeper Joan García joined bitter rivals Barcelona last season, the race for the No.1 spot at Espanyol now pits new signing Dimitrovic against B team prospect Ángel Fortuño. In a pre-season interview, the 21-year-old Fortuño not only voiced confusion over García's controversial move to the enemy camp but also made a playful yet pointed remark that grabbed attention: "I'd rather go back to playing for 'Jupiter' than ever pull on a Barça shirt."
"Jupiter" Holds Hidden Meaning, Loyalty Shines Through
"Jupiter" in Fortuño's words isn't a planet, but Club Júpiter—the local community club where his football journey began. This century-old grassroots team in Barcelona is where his dreams took root. By contrasting "returning to Jupiter" with "joining Barça," he subtly mocked García for abandoning his club for a bigger name, while affirming his own devotion as a die-hard Espanyol fan: "I've been an Espanyol supporter since I was a kid. This is our home, and we'll always stand our ground."
Speaking of García's transfer, Fortuño admitted: "To be honest, his move to Barça really took me by surprise. I just can't wrap my head around his plans." While he stressed respect for the veteran, his loyalty to Espanyol was clear—for him, the divide between Espanyol and Barça runs deeper than any career move.
Staying to Grow, New and Old Keepers Bolster Defense
On his own future, Fortuño revealed he'd considered a loan spell to get more game time, but the club decided to keep him: "Staying here to learn from legends like Diego López and Fernando Pacheco is the smartest choice." He also praised new signing Dimitrovic: "He's fantastic—always calm under pressure, and he's been a huge help to both me and B team keeper Pol Tristán."
Amid the lingering controversy over García's switch, Fortuño's words are more than a young player's statement—they echo the passion of Espanyol fans for their club, where loyalty and rivalry remain the heart of the city's football story.
