ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Reuters) - Jordi Alba’s career might be at a crossroads after being released by Barcelona but he is relishing his surprise return to the Spain squad for this week’s Nations League finals.
The 34-year-old full back, who has 91 caps, last played for Spain at the World Cup in Qatar and his international career looked at an end after he was left out for new coach Luis de la Fuente’s first two games in charge in March.
"The decision I make about my future will not depend on whether or not I can come to the Spanish team. The coach has seen what I can do and picked me and I see myself capable of continuing for more years. It is always a delight to be here with the national side," Alba told a press conference on Wednesday.
"What I see is very positive. From within we are very united. It is a very nice tournament to play and hopefully we can win it," Alba added."As you know I don't have a team and I'm not worried about being here without a team. It is a decision that I have to make with my family," he added. Alba played less than half Barcelona’s league games this season, leading to the suggestion he was nudged out at the financially-troubled club despite 11 successful seasons that which included six La Liga titles and a Champions League victory in 2015.
Spanish media reported he had been approached about a potential move to Major League Soccer to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. Alba also been linked with Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Soccer-Vilda calls up Caldentey, Bonmati and Batlle to Spain's World Cup squad(Reuters) - A feud between Spanish players and Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda appears to have come to an end after three of the 15 players who were previously frozen out of the national setup were called up for this year's Women's World Cup on Monday.
Read more »
Soccer-Brazil to play Spain at Santiago Bernabeu in anti-racism campaignMADRID (Reuters) - Brazil will play a friendly match against Spain at the Bernabeu in March next year as part of an anti-racism campaign in support of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, the Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales said on Tuesday.
Read more »
Soccer-Rodri ready for Spain duty days after Champions League heroicsENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Reuters) - Champions League final hero Rodri is likely to be thrust straight back into action for Spain in the Nations League on Thursday, five days after helping Manchester City complete the treble.
Read more »
Soccer-Iwabuchi left out of Japan's Women's World Cup squad(Reuters) - Japan's Mana Iwabuchi will not have the chance to appear at a fourth straight Women's World Cup after the veteran forward was a surprise omission from Futoshi Ikeda's 23-player squad for the 2023 tournament announced on Tuesday.
Read more »
Spain exhumes 128 civil war victims from Franco mausoleumSpain exhumes 128 civil war victims from Franco mausoleum FMTNews FMTWorld
Read more »
Spain, Brazil to play anti-racism friendly in Madrid after Vinicius abuseVinicius suffered racial abuse by Valencia supporters in May, provoking worldwide outrage after he squared off with fans in one stand. theSun theSundaily football racism Vinicius Brazil Spain
Read more »