Alejandro Balde expresses desire to retire at Barcelona

Balde, after a challenging second half of last season due to injury, has made a remarkable recovery. His dedication and hard work paid off earlier this month when he received medical clearance to play. He even participated in Barcelona's first game under new manager Hansi Flick against UE Olot.

With his recovery complete, Balde is set to join the team for their significant pre-season tour in the United States. Expectations are high for him, as he is anticipated to be one of the primary beneficiaries of Flick's arrival.

The Barcelona left-back discussed his future plans and addressed any thoughts of leaving the club. When asked if he had ever considered departing from Barcelona, Balde firmly dismissed the idea, stating:

"Plans on leaving Barca? I'm in my house! Where will I be better off than here? My plan is to retire at Barca."

He also praised his teammate Lamine Yamal for his exceptional performances for both club and country, succinctly remarking, "Lamine Yamal is magical."

During a rapid-fire quiz, Balde was asked to make quick choices on various topics. When posed with the dilemma of choosing between winning the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA World Cup, he confidently answered, "Both."

When asked about a player he would like to play with and whose shirt he would treasure, Balde unsurprisingly chose Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, saying:

"A player I would like to swap shirts with? Messi."

"A player I would like to play with? Messi."

Finally, when asked which player impressed him the most during the recently concluded European Championship, Balde highlighted Xavi Simons, acknowledging his outstanding performance by saying, "Player that impressed me the most during EURO 2024? Xavi Simons did a very good tournament."

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