Jordi Alba, 34, is also leaving Camp Nou. It’s been 11 years since he wore the colors of the Catalan club.
Spanish professional soccer club Barcelona announced on Thursday (local time) that defender Alba will leave the club at the end of the season. His contract runs through the 2023-2024 season, but the club and player mutually decided to end it a year early.
It is analyzed that the move is part of the club’s purge of high-salary senior players in order to solve financial problems. This is in the same vein as Sergio Busquets’ decision to leave the club earlier this year.
Alba, a Spanish international left back, played 458 games for Barcelona over 11 seasons, scoring 19 goals and providing 91 assists. He helped the club win the Champions League in 2015, six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey titles, four Spanish Super Cups, and a Club World Cup. 메이저사이트
Developed at Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia, Alba was released by Barça in 2005 but rejoined the Catalan club in 2012 after making a name for himself at Valencia.
“Jordi Alba, the team’s third captain who made the left flank his own for more than a decade at Barça, is leaving the club, bringing an end to a brilliant career,” the club said in a statement.
“FC Barcelona would like to publicly thank Alba for his professionalism, responsibility, dedication and his always positive and friendly relationship with all members of the Barcelona family.” “Unfortunately, it seems that all good things must come to an end, and in a few weeks Jordi Alba’s time at Barça will come to an end. We thank him for all his hard work and wish him well in whatever his future plans are.”
Alba made 23 appearances in the league as Barcelona clinched their 27th La Liga title earlier this month. With coach Xavi Hernandez favoring 19-year-old Alejandro Valde as a starter, Alba often started from the bench.
According to EuroSport, Barcelona offered Alba a contract extension, but it was a 70% cut from his current salary, which may not have been easy for him to accept.
This marks the departure of most of Barcelona’s defensive mainstays of an era. Central defender Gerard Pique announced his retirement in November last year, and defensive midfielder Busquets is set to leave the club for the final time this season.
Alba’s national team accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at. He is currently the captain of the Spanish national team, having won 91 caps and was a member of the Euro 2012 winning squad.