At a glance
- FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in a league-defining instalment of El Clasico on Sunday.
- In an interview with La Vanguardia, club legend Jordi Alba said his former club are “superior”.
- The iconic left-back also pointed to disruption caused at Madrid by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
FC Barcelona legend Jordi Alba said that his former club are “superior” to Real Madrid ahead of El Clasico. Furthermore, in an interview with La Vanguardia, the ex-left back pointed to disruptions caused at Madrid by Kylian Mbappé’s arrival.
“The environment and the expectations that are generated when a player of Mbappé’s stature arrives has an influence here,” Alba said.
“But I think football today is, more than anything, about being a team. In that sense, Barcelona are superior: they play as a team, they all defend, they all attack. And, in addition to that, they enjoy playing together.”
Jordi Alba wants credit for La Masia
Barca are currently 11 points clear and can seal a third league title in four years through a win or draw on Sunday. Alba was still around for the first of those in 2023 under Xavi Hernandez. For him, though, this latest expected triumph belongs to the La Masia academy he also spent time at.
“It’s the league of those homegrown players who in another era would not have the opportunity to go up so soon,” Alba said. “Due to club circumstances, they are there, performing at a high level. For me it’s the La Masia league.
Alba also coincided with Raphinha, who he thinks “has taken a big step forward since I left and since Hansi Flick‘s arrival”.
“At first he didn’t have a good time. It was difficult for him to adapt and he didn’t play as much as he wanted. Now I see him motivated, with a lot of confidence and wanting to be important at the club”.
As for Lionel Messi‘s exit, Alba doesn’t believe the Argentine departed “in the best way” in 2021. “It was a hard blow. Obviously, Barça have given a lot to Leo. But he has given a lot to the club. I would like them to pay tribute to him. Leo has marked an era,” Alba said about his close friend.
With Messi still plying his trade at Inter Miami, where Alba joined him shortly before retiring, it doesn’t seem like that tribute will take place until the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has hung his boots up.
A Joan Gamper trophy match in August has always been tipped as a possible platform for that. Yet this summer’s foes are expected to be Ajax.
