Jordi Alba announces his departure from Barcelona: ‘It’s better to step aside’

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who has reached an agreement with the Catalan club to terminate the remaining year of his contract, explained this Wednesday that “after much thought and evaluation” he believes it is “best to step aside “.

“It hasn’t been an easy decision, but I’m leaving happy and calm because I think from my culé feeling it’s the best,” he said in a farewell video reflecting on his career at Barca that he published this Wednesday in his social networks.

THANK YOU THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/2pARAdY02j

— Jordi Alba (@JordiAlba) May 24, 2023

The L’Hospitalet de Llobregat fullback said he felt “very happy” and “completely proud” for everything he has achieved in his 11 seasons with the Barca first team, with whom he has won 18 titles: 6 leagues, 5 Copas del Rey, 4 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup and 1 European Super Cup.

“Who could have told that boy, who enthusiastically entered the Barça school at the age of 9, that he would achieve so much with the club of his life,” Alba reflected, recalling how after seven years in the quarry he had to leave and his return in the summer of 2012 “to fulfill what he always dreamed of”.

“I will miss running the band at Camp Nou very much, the encouragement of the fans, their drive, their affection and their joy in the big moments,” Messi’s best partner acknowledged.

In the video, Jordi Alba says goodbye as he calls on the fans to attend his last game against Mallorca, where he will end his time as a Barça player at the age of 34: “See you on Sunday at the Camp Nou. Thank you, cules! and Visca Barca!”