Former Real Madrid player, Javi Garcia, has revealed that only a few from the youth system can succeed at the club due to the intense competition and high expectations that exist.
The midfielder was part of Real’s youth academy. He could not get a regular time in the first-team and consequently left for Benfica more than three years ago.
Garcia believes that it is extremely difficult for youngsters that graduate from the academy to make it into the starting line-up of the senior team.
He believes only a few manage to break through and they have to be among the best.
"It's hard to get into Madrid and harder still to stay there. It's hard to play in the first team. Only the best make it."
The 25-year-old has also commented on the perception that when some players leave the club they become better and if they waited for their chance they could have played for Madrid - he just doesn’t agree with that logic.
He mentioned that there are some players who have opted to stay with Real and never progressed enough.
"People now say that the players who left Madrid could have been playing for them, because they ended up with the national team. Maybe, but equally they might have stayed in the club and never progressed as they did”
The Manchester City midfielder also remarked on life at the Santiago Bernabeu and according to him, only the best can cope with the intense rivalry and fight for a place in this highly successful club.
"The best players in the world are there and you have to be tough to cope with the demands of wearing the shirt.”
Finally, Garcia revealed his reason for leaving the club that groomed him. For him it was a simple decision. He stated that he was not getting playing time and because of that he had to go to a club where he could play football.
"I wanted to play football, so I left for Benfica and it worked out well for me.”
Garcia will play against his former club when Man City clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow night.
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