While some of his teammates are already on vacation, Jordi Alba (21/III/1989) continues to train in the sports city as he has been called up for the final four of the Nations League with Spain. At 34 years old, he still has some rope left and is physically well, but he will be out of Barça, even though he had one more year left on his contract. Spanish and foreign teams have shown interest in him.
Let’s start at the end: a tribute to the Camp Nou. Institutional farewell… He has spent half his life at Barça.
I leave very satisfied. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would turn out so well. The other day I realized how much people love me; I did not know. I think I’m coming out at the right time. It’s a hard decision to make but honestly I think I did the best I could. I leave proud with the affection of the people at the Camp Nou, but also on the street. When you’ve been here for so many years, people get used to it. It has been very emotional. I leave happy.
The president was moved when he explained that you forgive money in an act of Barcelonianism.
There has been too much talk about this subject of my salary. No player has heard so much about the matter. It came out of the president’s soul and I thanked him for it. I have thought about it and I think it is important that it was clear because of everything that had been said.
Did the criticism hurt him for his salary?
I understand the doubts because things were said that were not real and the fan ends up believing them. I leave calm knowing that I have helped the club. In my goodbye and also in previous seasons. I did it for the love of the club. Honestly, if I had been at another club, I wouldn’t have done it because I wouldn’t have felt it. I think you have to be grateful in life and the club has given me everything. Selfishly, I could have stayed next year plus another optional one. But I’ve been honest and done what was most appropriate for both sides.
Did he need to sell himself more or be kinder to the environment?
I am the way I am, I can’t please everyone. There have been attitudes in which I could have been wrong, but that’s how I am when competing. I understand that people would see me on the screen or on the football field and think things like what I thought. But it has nothing to do with who I am as a person, my values ​​and the respect I have for all professionals.
Is it transformable to the field?
When I compete I want to win and I haven’t always performed well, but like everyone else.
What did he think when he saw the arrival of Marcos Alonso and the irruption of Balde?
At first it was difficult. It had been 10 years since he played every minute at Barcelona at the highest level. After playing the first game against Rayo, I was on the bench for four games in a row. Little by little I assimilated that this season could be like that and I have taken it, as I say, with class. I felt important despite not having many minutes. When you play on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday you are only focused on competing and you don’t value other things. This year I took it more easy, knowing that I would have less prominence. I’ve talked to colleagues, workers… With Balde, the side is well covered.
Ninety-nine assists with Barcelona. How is it done? Is this standard or is it learned?
Some say 93, others say 94… Too bad it wasn’t 100. But there are a lot. They could be more but it also depends on the striker who takes advantage of them. And other times when you don’t make an exceptional pass, the striker puts it in and it counts as an assist. That’s pretty good data for a winger, isn’t it?
It will also have something to do with his connection with Messi. How did you find him in the middle of the race?
It gives you time to think. That’s the difference with a good center. When I was young, I would cross and if they finished, perfect. Little by little I started to slow down and think, which is the most difficult thing for a player who reaches the bottom line. And more in Barcelona, ​​because you look up and see eight rivals in the area and one, two or at most three players from your team. It is complicated. That’s why I gave them all to Leo, because he was the one who put them in. It is so and has always been so.
Was it easy to play with Messi or difficult because you had to live up to it?
I took advantage of it because I knew I would mark them. We understood each other perfectly. But it is also a question for him, to see if he has missed me in other teams. For me, being selfish, the best thing was to pass it on.
He has said that when he was dismissed from grassroots football, he thought the door to Barça was closing forever, and that he thought he would never return. Remember the time they came looking for him in 2012?
I was in the European Championship with the national team. So I discussed it with Valencia and told them: “If I go, it’s to Barcelona”. At Valencia it was spectacular because they gave me the opportunity to play in the First Division. But I’m from Barça and I could go back to my house and my family. When I heard about the interest I was very excited. I remember that the day before the final I signed the contract, then we won the Euro and I presented myself at Camp Nou with 10,000 people. Wow, amazing.
Now he leaves with 459 games, only two defenders like Puyol and Migueli surpass that figure. Does he feel that he is among the three best defenders at Barça?
That’s a lot of games. I am the ninth most played. I may not value it as much now, but I will over the years. The best? This is a matter of taste. I gave everything for the club and I was happy.
Is the next chapter of your career clear?
i have nothing I made the decision to leave Barcelona a few weeks ago because I was the most honest and wanted to be fair, but I decided without having anything. Now I will go with the national team to the Nations League and then I will evaluate everything, also in the family sphere. I want something that motivates me. In terms of sport, in Europe and abroad you need to be well prepared.
Busquets seems to be clear that he wants to try being a coach. When you hang up your boots, which is not now, do you want to continue being tied to football?
Yes, I would like to. Coach, I don’t know. I see myself more in the coaching staff. I would like to help in what the club proposes to me. I know the house perfectly, I know how it works and I think I have the conditions to help people. So for tomorrow I’ll take all the titles I can.
