Jordi Alba chooses his worst memory at Barcelona – ‘Worse than the 2-8…’ | OneFootball

Jordi Alba will go down as one of the greatest left-backs to have played for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

After spending more than a decade at the club, during which he experienced great success and some lows, Alba left Barça in 2023, joining Inter Miami, where he has been reunited with his former teammate and close friend Lionel Messi.

Alba recently sat down for an interview with ‘Offsiders’, during which he discussed some moments from his time in Barcelona in detail.

Ala’s worst moment at Barcelona

As mentioned, Alba experienced some low points with Barcelona, with perhaps the 2-8 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich being the lowest of them all.

However, according to the Spaniard, that was not his worst moment at Barça, but it was the capitulation at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg in 2019, when the Catalans lost 4-0 after having won the first leg 3-0.

“That was a terrifying night. For me, it was worse than the 2-8. It was really tough because the tie was almost settled, and even there we had many chances, but that’s how it turned out. For me, it was the toughest night,” said Alba.

“I felt awful, I am not going to lie. But those are games you do not expect, they hit you hard. On top of that, the first goal came from a back-pass I made with all the intention in the world, but it did not turn out well.”

Taking responsibility for his poor display on that night, Alba added: “These things have happened to me many times before and they didn’t end in a goal, and nothing happened. The annoying part is that it happened that day.

“I never like to single out one or two players, it is a team effort, but that night I was not good, I have no problem in admitting it. It is obvious. It was the hardest night for me.”

Alba had a game to forget at Anfield. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Praise for Luis Enrique, Messi

Talking about the good times, Alba highlighted his years under Luis Enrique’s leadership at Barça, praising the current PSG coach as “the best”.

“I have not had Guardiola, and people speak very highly of him, but for me, Luis Enrique is the best. He works very well, and he is a very approachable person. He marked an era at the club,” he said.

Alba also recalled the many occasions under ‘Lucho’ when he would give the ball to Leo Messi, knowing he would score.

“I would pass it to Leo because I knew he would score,” he said, adding with a playful tone, “Selfishly, I also did it so it would count as an assist for me.”

On Barcelona exit

Alba also spoke about his departure from Barcelona, revealing that he had not initially planned to leave.

“I had another year left on my contract, plus an option. For me, the easiest thing was to stay at Barcelona. It was in the end that I decided to take the step, and I do not regret it. I think I did the best thing,” the Inter Miami star remarked.

He also highlighted his role in the final stages of his time at the club, when he played with less prominence but continued to support his teammates.

“That season, you saw a Jordi who wasn’t playing but was helping his teammates. I received more support from my surroundings, but I was doing the same thing,” he concluded.