Jordi Alba is happy to see Lionel Messi sign a new contract at Barcelona today, and commented with Jose Callejon in mind on the Argentine’s nature.
Real Madrid’s Callejon last week alleged that the 25-year-old had clashed after the Copa del Rey Clasico in the Spanish capital with Alvaro Arbeloa and Aitor Karanka, insulting the assistant Coach too.
However, Alba has reflected today, as Messi signs his contract renewal to June 2018, that the Argentine’s manner does not fit that version of events.
“I can’t imagine what Messi will be like in 2018, but it’s great news for Barca fans that he’s staying,” began Alba to reporters today, when considering his teammate’s new deal.
“He is the best player in the world and as long as nothing happens, he’ll be the best ever. We’ll try to make him feel as comfortable here as we can.
“I was once unlucky enough to have to face him as an opponent, but now I’m here I’m delighted to have him as a team-mate. I have never seen anybody capable of doing the things that he can do.
“Aside from football he also a wonderful person, very down to earth and although he has won everything and has four Ballon d’Ors, he continues to demonstrate that he is humble and that in the end what counts is not only the world of football, but life.
“That’s what those of us who know him appreciate most, we all know him as he is.”
Barca face their first lunchtime kick-off the season this Sunday at home to Getafe, just as the fixture list builds up.
“Getafe are a very difficult opponent. They’re aggressive, they’ve got quality players and they play good football.
“They’ll make life very difficult for us, but I don’t think playing at noon is any excuse. The difficulty is the quality of the opponent.
“It’s going to be a difficult month, with some tough matches, but we have to maintain our intensity in every competition.
“The team is capable of doing that as they have shown in previous seasons. We’ll be taking things match by match and looking to win them all …
“Before the Cup match with Real Madrid we’ve got League and Champions League games, and they’re very important too.
“And the lead over Madrid in the League? It’s Atletico Madrid who are second.
“People always speak a lot about Barca and Real Madrid, but it is Atletico who are closest behind us and they need to be treated just as seriously.”
