MADRID, 1 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish winger Jordi Alba assured this Tuesday that he had “offers of perhaps more money” than the one he received from Inter Miami, but that he is clear that “the right thing to do” was to accept that of the American franchise, “an exciting project”. whom he wants to help “leave as high as possible” and where he meets a Leo Messi whom he sees as “covered and loved”.
“When I decided to leave Barcelona I didn’t have anything or any team. It was clear to me that my cycle at FC Barcelona had ended and from there I could go with the national team and then talks with Inter Miami began. I had other offers on top of the table, but I think the correct decision was to come here”, admitted Jordi Alba at a press conference after joining training on Monday.
The international made the decision to play in the United States after playing in the League of Nations and “despite perhaps having offers of more money.” “I think the important thing for me was to feel important and the people at the club and the confidence of the coach made me value this option as the one I liked the most. I think I’ve done well,” he added.
“I think I’ve done well, it’s an exciting project. I also saw the desire they had for me to come here and that it was the club that bet the most on me. I hope to do the best possible and that people are happy with my work”, he stressed the Catalan.
For the side, the new players and those who were already there have “the desire to continue competing and to continue winning.” “I think we are in the ideal scenario for it and seeing the team these days, the truth is that I am very happy and I think we can do great things”, he commented.
The one from L’Hospitalet spoke about the role of Leo Messi and Sergio Busquets in the team. “They have to help us, and we them, to be able to win all the titles that we play for. We are also lucky that the coach, the ‘Tata’, knows us from the past and we know the demands that we are going to have here, but it is a beautiful and exciting challenge”, he pointed out.
The Catalan made it clear that they have come to the franchise to “try to leave it as high as possible” and that for this the three former FC Barcelona have to try to “help” their teammates from their “experience”. “I’m sure we’ll also learn from them,” he stressed.
“LEO IS VERY EXCITED FOR THIS CHALLENGE”
Jordi Alba is reunited with Leo Messi, whom he sees as “the same” and of whom he has no doubt that he will give everything to lead Inter Miami because he is “very demanding and wants to win”. “He has won a World Cup and he has won everything, and now he will fight for this new challenge. He feels supported and loved here, and that is the most important thing. I have spoken with him and he is very excited about this challenge,” he said.
The former FC Barcelona player did not rule out making his debut with his new team this Wednesday in the Leagues Cup against Orlando City. “I think I have trained quite well in Barcelona and I already got in touch with Inter and they made it very easy for me. I worked hard to be able to compete when I arrived and physically I feel good,” he warned.
Jordi Alba aspires to win “everything” with his new team. “I’ve been lucky enough to win everything with Barcelona and almost everything with the national team, but I’m very excited about this project and I’m a very competitive player,” said the defender.
“It is clear that things have to be improved and I think the coach is doing a great job in the short time he has been here. I think there are players with a lot of quality and I have noticed that they are quite strong physically, and the arrival of ‘Busi’ and de Leo have also made the team grow much more, but it will not be easy because it is a demanding competition and league and we will have to earn it on the field, but the illusion that I see in training and in games will mean that we can be closer to win the titles that we play”, he highlighted.
Finally, he was also happy to be under the command of Gerardo Martino again, who “did a great job” at FC Barcelona in the only season they coincided with, 2013-2014. “He helped me a lot, he gave me a lot of confidence and one of the things that has made me come here has also been because I want to work with him again. I know that he will demand the maximum from me and for me the best thing is that they demand me He knows us well and doesn’t give anything away, if you’re here to play, you’ll play, and if not, you’ll have to wait,” he said.