According to Diario Sport, Girona has four former players who won the World Cup, and the club congratulated them.
Girona has only had two players represented in the World Cups in the United States, Canada, and Mexico: Morocco's Abdel-Wahed Onahi and Belgium's Axel Witsel. However, four World Cup-winning players—Pior Polo, Alex Baena, Eric Garcia, and Pau Kubalsi—have all worn Girona's red and white jersey. The club also congratulated them on social media after winning their second World Cup title with the national team.
Kuba's brief stint in youth training
Kubalsi played almost every match, forming an excellent central defensive partnership with Laporte and further solidifying his place among the world's top defenders. His outstanding performance also earned him the tournament's Best Young Player award. However, he never made an appearance for Girona's first team. Kubalsi came through the Vilabráx academy, joining in 2015 and spending three years in the Benjamin and Alevín age groups before transferring to La Masia in 2018.
Nevertheless, his emotional bond with Girona remains clear. He previously refrained from celebrating after scoring a goal for Montilivi and publicly stated his hope that the club would avoid relegation to the Segunda División.
The rapid rise of the Baltic
Tottenham's full-backs have dominated the right flank since the knockout stages. Llorente started against Cape Verde and Uruguay, while Porro from Doni Benito, after starting against Uruguay, has remained in the starting lineup. He scored against Austria and France, delivering excellent performances on both ends of the pitch.
Alberto Silja spotted him when he played for Rayo Vallecano's youth team. He then progressed rapidly: promoted to Peralada, a Segunda División B youth team, and made his first-team debut for Girona under Pablo Machín in the Copa del Rey.
He rose to prominence very quickly, earning a first-team place after just five appearances for Peralada. During Eusébio Sacristán's first season in La Liga, he made 35 appearances and scored one goal. After Girona's relegation, Manchester City bought his ownership rights and then loaned him to Valladolid.
Baena and Eric's successful loan
Alex Baena's World Cup performance was equally impressive, transforming him from a substitute into an indispensable member. De la Fuente once again bet on this player from Roquetas de Mar, whose talent and off-the-ball movement played a crucial role in maintaining balance for the Spanish team. He also scored in the winning goal against Uruguay, helping the team secure top spot in the group.
Baena played on loan for Girona in the 2021/22 season, joining from Villarreal and becoming a key player in the team's promotion to La Liga. That season, he scored 5 goals and provided 7 assists in 45 appearances, impressing Montilivie and maintaining close ties with the club ever since.
Eric Garcia might not be who he is today without that season at Girona. The loan was beneficial for both sides, helping the defender rediscover his best form under Michel. In Montilivi, he stepped out of his comfort zone, regained the playing time and confidence he needed, and rediscovered his importance in the right environment. Furthermore, his versatility truly shone during that time, and it is now one of his most important qualities.
Eric Garcia has always held Girona in high regard. The evidence is that he doesn't want to miss Girona's crucial relegation battle at home against Real Sociedad.
