Jordi Alba will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, it has been confirmed.
The Spanish full-back, who joined from Valencia in 2012, has made more than 300 appearances for the club.
When asked about his decision to leave, Alba said: “It’s been a well-thought decision. I’ll speak more about that in the future, but in short, I’ve been honest with myself and I think the best option for me and the club too was to take a step aside. I’ve seen a lot of positive messages so far, and I hope on Sunday I have the chance to say goodbye to the fans in the stadium.
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“I have nothing agreed with any club, honestly, because not long ago my intention was to stay and fulfill my contract. At the end I took that decision because it was the best both for the club and myself. At the end time comes by and this season I have not been as much of a primary role as I used to have. I’m not saying I haven’t been useful, because I feel I’ve played an important function in the dressing room and tried to help out the young generation as much as I could. But it was time for a change.
“My relationship with the president and the manager is still exceptional. They gave me the chance to decide my own destiny, and in the end, that’s what I did.”
He is one of the most decorated players of his generation, winning six La Liga titles, five Copa del Reys as well as the Champions League in 2014-15 and the Club World Cup in 2015.
The 34-year-old has also played 91 times for Spain and was part of the European Championship-winning squad in 2012.
He has a year remaining on his current contract but an agreement has been reached between both parties for him to exit early.
A club statement read: “FC Barcelona would like to publicly express its gratitude to Alba for his professionalism, commitment and dedication, and his ever-positive and friendly relationship with all members of the Barça family, and wishes him every fortune in the future.
“Barça will always be a home for you, Jordi.”
💙❤️ GRÀCIES 💙❤️ GRACIAS 💙❤️ THANK YOU 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/2pARAdY02j
— Jordi Alba (@JordiAlba) May 24, 2023
Alba joins fellow La Masia products Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets in leaving the club this season.
Pique retired from football in November after a similarly glittering career at Camp Nou, while Busquets announced his intention to leave the club after 18 years earlier this month.
Once an ever-present, Alba has been more of a peripheral figure at Barcelona this season under Xavi, making only 13 starts for the club in all competitions.
Barcelona, who won the league title earlier in May, have two games remaining this season. They host Real Mallorca on Sunday before closing their campaign away at Celta Vigo on June 4.
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‘Barca has given me everything’
Jordi Alba spoke to Dermot Corrigan in an exclusive interview last month where, among other subjects, he discussed the hurt at being rejected by Barcelona as a youngster, his rise at Valencia, success with Spain and his Camp Nou return. Here he speaks about Barca’s homegrown stars and his pride at playing for Barca…
The present-day team have two La Masia-produced teenagers in Gavi and Alejandro Balde and Alba says he tries to act as a mentor to the 19-year-old left-back.
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“I try to help Balde in all I can, to give him concepts, as he plays in my position,” Alba says.
“I have been in the first team a lot longer. It is important that the youngsters listen and try to learn from those with more experience. Gavi reminds me a lot of me when I was younger. He has a strong temperament, but he is fundamental for the system of play and also for his battling spirit.
“Barca has given me so much — given me everything — when I was small and when I returned to the first team. I have enjoyed it so much. Playing for Barcelona is the best place.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
