Jordi Alba talks Xavi, Messi, Busquets, Enrique, Tito at Barcelona farewell .
The conclusion of the 2022/23 football season marks the beginning of a turbulent period in the world of football—the summer transfer window. However, before the focus shifts to potential transfers, there are a series of emotional moments that need to be addressed, particularly at Barcelona. The departure of Sergio Busquets, a legendary midfielder who has been with the club for 15 years, and the subsequent farewell of Jordi Alba, have set the stage for these heartfelt events.
Alba, visibly emotional, expressed his gratitude to the fans, his teammates—past and present—and the club itself. He began by acknowledging the significance of the day and thanked everyone for their presence. He credited the fans and the socios for providing him with the most beautiful moments of his career. Additionally, he paid tribute to Tito Vilanova, the man who brought him back to Barcelona in 2012, and recalled his humble beginnings at La Masía, the renowned youth academy of the club. Alba fondly remembered being chosen to lay the first stone at the Ciutat Esportiva, a moment that filled him with pride.
The Barcelona defender also took a moment to honor his late grandfather, expressing his sadness that he didn't witness his ascent to the first team. Alba's emotions were evident as he tearfully stated, "I did it, grandfather." Amidst the sentimental atmosphere, Alba lightened the mood with a few jokes. He playfully remarked that all players run a lot except for Robert Lewandowski, alluding to the Polish striker's exceptional goal-scoring abilities.
Although rumors had circulated about a strained relationship between Alba and Luis Enrique, dating back to their time together at Barcelona, Alba thanked the coach for including him in the 2022 World Cup squad, despite limited playing time. When questioned about his controversial incident with Jules Kounde from the previous season, Alba humorously quipped that he had forgiven him for throwing the ball at his face, resulting in a red card.
Alba couldn't speak about his time at Barcelona without mentioning his profound connection with Lionel Messi. He emphasized his constant desire to pass the ball to Messi, even when faced with multiple defenders, as he had unwavering confidence in the Argentine's ability to score goals. Alba also acknowledged Busquets' status as a greater legend, as the midfielder had won more titles than him, playfully adding that he only surpassed Busquets in the number of goals scored.
The event concluded with Alba reflecting on his relationship with Xavi, who had transitioned from being his teammate for three years to his coach for over a season. Alba expressed that he would miss Xavi's presence as a coach and stressed that he had never harbored any anger towards him regarding his role on the team, as Xavi had always treated him with great respect.
Overall, the ceremony honoring Jordi Alba was filled with mixed emotions, heartfelt gratitude, lighthearted jokes, and reminiscences of significant relationships that defined his career at Barcelona. As the summer transfer window approaches, Barcelona bids farewell to two influential figures, Busquets and Alba, and prepares for a new chapter in the club's history.
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