Jordi Alba talks Messi, Balde, Pedri, Gavi, Luis Enrique, Manchester United

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has had a difficult season having had to deal with the fact that he is no longer the undisputed choice at left-back, with Alejandro Balde taking over his spot.

It has left Alba deprived of the minutes that he used to enjoy at Barcelona, but the 33-year-old veteran has continued to be an important player, making an impact be it coming off the benches or when starting matches every now and then.

The Spanish international recently appeared on the program ‘Universo Valdano‘ where he discussed his current situation at Barcelona, as well as the potential of the young players coming through at the club and his relationship with former captain Lionel Messi.

On his longevity at Barcelona: “It’s not easy to be at a club as big as Barça and to show a good level for eleven years. The debate, ever since I made my debut, has always existed and it was clear to me that it was going to exist until I retired.”

On his competitive character: “I like to compete, but I’m too much ‘vinegar’. My behaviour on the pitch has nothing to do with how I am in person. People who really know me speak well of me. That’s what I am left with. No club employee can have a single complaint about me, that gives me peace of mind and reinforces me to continue like this.”

On his game-time situation: “I’m not getting the minutes I would like, but I’m doing my job and I have another role with my teammates. We all always want and think we can play more. I feel good, I have pride and a clear head.

“I know what I am as a player, what I have given, and what I can give. I feel strong, when you feel good mentally and physically, everything is easier. I’m a better player now than I was ten years ago.”

On guiding the youngsters: “I like helping the young players. It’s a beautiful responsibility. I’m a homegrown player and I’ve been here for a long while; it’s amazing to represent this club. I tell the youngsters to keep their feet on the ground, try to guide them, like others guided me.”

On Alejandro Balde: “Alejandro Balde is a good kid. He has a lot of potential and a bright future. When Alejandro Balde joined us in the national team, I helped him a lot. The positioning of the full-backs in the national team is very different to the one at Barça.”

On the youngsters at the club: “Barça have many good young players with spectacular quality and strong personalities. They are very humble.”

On Gavi: “Gavi is pure attitude. He fights for every last ball, but is also very technical. In some ways, he’s similar to me.”

On Pedri: “Pedri is the one who has resembled Iniesta the most, in gestures, in that change of pace…. A spectacular generation has come together, with Arnau Tenas, Araujo, Eric Garcia, Balde, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres.”

On his special equation with Lionel Messi: “We understood each other perfectly, he put it to me at the right time. It was increasingly difficult because all the opponents already knew us, but he would come in from the second line and sometimes he would find other teammates who were more unmarked.

“We made a very good duo. With him, everything was easier… Almost all my assists are to him, I remember that the first one was at El Sadar. In all aspects of the game, he is the best.”

On Messi’s World Cup triumph: “All football fans wanted Leo to win, for all he has suffered, for all he has given to football and because he has always wanted that cup.”

On his relationship with Luis Enrique: “My relationship with Luis Enrique was great. He’s a spectacular manager with a strong personality. There was a point where he picked other players before me, but that pushed me to become better, and it eventually paid off. For me, he is the best manager.”

On Barcelona’s recent struggles in the Champions League: “The Champions League defeats were very difficult for me personally. You have to know how to overcome that and become stronger.”

On the upcoming game against Manchester United: “We know that the match against Manchester United will be like a Champions League clash: beautiful and complicated.”