FC Barcelona’s newest signing gives press conference to discuss his move back to Catalonia, and vice-president Jordi Mestre offers further details
Long and varied journey
Aleix Vidal is only 25 years old, but he has already played for an extraordinary number of different clubs as a youth player and professional. “Everyone has to make their way in life somehow or other” he said when asked about his many moves over the years. “Since I was very young I have had to work very hard to get where I am today. Hopefully Barça is the final step.”
[[DES_1]]Aleix Vidal is delighted to have signed for FC Barcelona, and that was more than obvious from what he had to say in Monday’s press conference at the Camp Nou. “Apart from the day my daughter was born, this is the most special day of my life” he said, describing it as a homecoming after he spent one year at the club playing for the U14 B team. He was joined in the pressroom by vice-president Jordi Mestre, who explained that the player’s transfer fee from Sevilla was 18 million euros, plus a further four million in variables.
Vidal is arriving fresh from winning the Europa League with his former club, and hopes to add more titles with a team that has just completed a historic treble. “This is a winning streak, and that’s always for the better” he said. He didn’t seem in the slightest bit bothered by the fact that he won’t actually be able to play until January 2016 due to the FIFA sanction on the club. “That’s not a problem” he said. “I didn’t think twice about accepting Barça’s offer. I can use this time to improve specific aspects of my game and learn new things. And Barça is the best place in the world to learn.”
The player was also quizzed about the position he expects to be used in, for although he has always been an attacking midfielder, at Sevilla this season he especially flourished when manager Unai Emery used him as a full-back. “I’m not likely to be needed up front” he commented. “The three best players in the world are playing there.” Not that he’ll be short of competition for the right-back slot either, but in Vidal’s opinion “that kind of tough competition is exactly what improves the performances of a team … Alves is one of the beat, if not the best, full-backs in the world”.[[CITA_1]]
He was also asked how he feels about playing in the same team as Leo Messi, with whom Alves has developed a wonderful understanding. Vidal is convinced that he’ll be able to develop just as strong a bond with the Argentinian, saying that “everything is so much easier when you are playing with the best players. But it is certainly something I’ll need to work hard on, and also something I’m thoroughly looking forward to”.
Statements by Jordi Mestre, FC Barcelona vice-president for sport:
“Aleix Vidal’s name came up when we were discussing signings with the coaching staff, and Luis Enrique gave his approval”.
“The Board will be dissolving in a few days’ time to call elections, but the executive has to carry on working as activity at this club never ceases”.