Jordi Alba has said Lionel Messi ‘feels supported and loved’ at Inter Miami.
The Spanish defender made the statement during his introductory press conference with the team after joining the American club.
‘Leo is a demanding person,’ Alba said. ‘He has won a World Cup, but he is going to continue [playing] the same. He is going to fight for this challenge, try to win everything and that’s why we’re here to help him.
‘He feels supported, loved and that’s the most important thing. At PSG he didn’t have a good time, but he recovered his joy. I repeat, it’s a challenge that personally excites him a lot and I see him very happy.’
As for his own personal convictions in joining Inter Miami, Alba says that he rejected other offers for more money because he enjoyed the challenge MLS provided him.
‘When I decided to leave Barcelona, I had [no offers],’ Alba explained. ‘After the selection [of Inter], the talks with Inter began. I had other offers, but the correct decision was to come here, an exciting project.
‘Players have come who want to continue competing, winning, and we are in the ideal setting for it.’
He later added, ‘I’m 34 years old, I’ve been lucky to have won everything with Barcelona and in the national team. ‘I come here to compete, win, to play my best. I’m competitive and this project is very familiar.
‘And that’s why I decided to come here. I’ve been here for three, four days and it seems like I’ve been here all my life, I hope to compete and win everything.’
After already starting his first training sessions with the team, Alba said he’s impressed by what he’s seen and is happy with the choice he made.
‘I see the team these days, the truth is that I am very happy. We can do many things. With the utmost humility, I made the decision after the selection despite having offers of more money.
‘The important thing for me was to feel important. The confidence of the coach [Tata Martino] made me assess the option and it has done me good. I also saw the desire for [Martino] to come and that is why I have come here.’
