Spain left back Jordi Alba is one of the most experienced players in the squad at the World Cup finals with the Barcelona defender making his third appearance on the biggest stage in world football.
Alba made his debut for Spain in the wake of their triumph in 2010 and is hoping that his experience can make a difference in a side packed with young talent.
“I am really excited about this World Cup, because it may be the last one for me. We have a young and exciting squad and we have high hopes,” he said in an interview with Spanish paper, Diario AS.
Although he just missed Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph, Alba was part of the side that won the 2012 European Championship and although he will be 33 in March, he feels that he still has a lot to offer.
“I think I have matured as a player and also as a person. I understand the game better and now that I’m a veteran, I try to help the younger players, like the veterans did with me in the past,” commented Alba.
With players such as Gavi, Pedri, Ansu Fati and Nico Williams, Spain has one of the youngest teams in Qatar, but Alba has faith they will continue to produce surprises as they did in last summer’s European Championship.
“People thought back then that maybe Spain had too young a team. But we competed really well and we were only knocked out (in the semifinals) because we lacked a bit of luck on penalties against Italy.”
“It’s true that we have young players, but they all play in the top division and the Champions League,” insisted Alba, who also had a vote of confidence for Barca team-mate, 19-year-old left back, Alejandro Balde, who is a late replacement for the injured Jose Luis Gaya.
“Balde is a great player who hasn’t been in the elite for a long time, but he’s playing a lot of games for Barcelona and he’s learning very quickly. He is a player to be reckoned with,” he insisted.
Finally, Alba gave a vote of confidence to coach, Luis Enrique, saying he was “close, but demanding.”
“I think he is the best in the world. It is a pleasure to have him in the national team. We have improved our game and he is taking us in the right direction,” concluded the left back.
Spain kicks off their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on Wednesday.