Manu García moves like the ball in midfield: with rhythm, with purpose, with direction. His career has been a continuous journey through Spain, England, France, Greece, and, most recently, Kansas City. Each change of country, of culture, of language has shaped him. And yet, through all that movement, Manu has remained true to his essence: a cerebral player, grounded, thoughtful, and fiercely competitive.
Since arriving in Kansas City, Manu has wasted no time in settling in. His adaptation has been almost as fluid as his game. You can see that on the field or glimpses into his friendships on the team off the pitch.
“There’s a really good group here, good people, and that makes a big difference,” he says. His connection to the team has developed quickly, which is apparent with his nine assists and two goals in his first season.
A way Manu also connected quickly to the city was through exploring Kansas City’s vast coffee scene. When first moving here, Manu and his partner bought a full espresso bar set up. And while he admits, his barista ambitions have taken a bit of a backseat, he still enjoys the ritual and even shared some of his favorite spots.
“I really like Café Corazón, Bisou, and Messenger,” Manu shares. “They’re probably the most well-known. There’s also one called Hi Hat, it’s this tiny little spot near the Plaza. It’s cool.”
Just as much as he’s jet setting, Manu is setting up plays in the midfield. His style is not just physical, it’s mental. If you’ve been watching this season, Manu seems to draw a lot of fouls.
“Maybe because of my height,” Manu laughs. Though he rarely let’s go of the ball without trying to make something happen.
“I’ve always been a player who gets fouled a lot,” he says matter-of-factly, as if physical contact is just another part of the game’s rhythm. In a recent match against Charlotte FC, he even ended up with stitches after a head collision. Still, he played on, and Sporting went on to win that game thanks to some assists from Manu.
At his core, Manu is a thinker. He describes himself as reflective, even self-critical to fault.
“I think a lot about what I do and don’t do, the mistakes I make… Sometimes I’m too hard on myself.”
That inner dialogue follows him both on and off the field. It’s no surprise that his natural position is midfield, where every pass counts, every move matters. Just like his career: deliberate, calculated, never stagnant.
Off the field, Manu warm and easygoing, someone making jokes or enjoying a good laugh with teammates. On the pitch, however, he admits he changes.
“I’m a bit meaner, more aggressive. On the field, you have to be more like a dog, scrappy, tough.”
That duality, the friendly demeanor outside the game and the ruthless focus within it is part of what makes Manu such a compelling player.
This has been a long season. Playing an almost full season in Greece and then playing nearly every game in KC. Despite the minutes Manu has become a silent engine for his team. His vision, his feel for the game, and his emotional intelligence have been key this season.
“We didn’t start well, then improved, but we’re still struggling to get consistent results,” Manu reflects. Still, we’re close.”
Beyond soccer, Manu brings a mature perspective to the game. His international journey has given him a rare kind of awareness, which comes through in how he talks about managing fatigue, staying healthy, and preparing for the long run. He’s a traveler of the ball…and of life. A player who’s learned to move through the world with the same care and precision he shows in midfield.
With five countries under his belt, Manu continues to make his mark everywhere he goes.