Jordi Alba has revealed that he is planning to stay with Barcelona until at least the summer of 2024 amid the speculation surrounding his future.
The 33-year-old has again been a regular for the Catalan giants during the 2022-23 campaign, making 12 appearances in all competitions, contributing two assists in the process.
Alba has lost his starting role at the club this term, though, with the summer arrival of Marcos Alonso, and the emergence of Alejandro Balde, pushing him down the pecking order.
The experienced defender only played twice in the group stage of the Champions League, while he has started just seven La Liga matches this term.
Alba has a contract at Camp Nou until next June, although there have been claims that he could be heading for the exit door either in January or at the end of the campaign.
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The left-back has denied that he is on his way out of the club, while he also addressed suggestions that Inter Milan pushed to sign him before the end of the summer transfer window.
"I have a contract with Barca and I see myself capable of fulfilling it until June 2024," he told El Larguero. "I have earned respect. When I don't see myself ready to play for Barca, I'll be the first to leave. I don't want to make a fool of myself.
"I have always had confidence in myself and I know what I can give. I've improved a lot compared to when I arrived.
"Everyone sticks with strikers because they score goals, but I've improved and people who know realise that. A lot of things were said about my decision at the club, but I decided to stay. That's all there is to it.
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"Nobody said anything to me about Inter. I know that news leaks out, of course. I've been there for a long time and I know the club's environment.
"I'm not going to give myself a year or so to leave. I have earned the respect of the professional people I work with on a day-to-day basis at the club, be it the staff or my colleagues. In that sense, I have a clear conscience. Then, what people talk about from outside."
Alba also paid tribute to Spain boss Luis Enrique, with the defender expected to be a starter for his country at the World Cup, which got underway on Sunday.
"Luis Enrique has shown me that he trusts me. At Barca, we won a lot of titles together and here we have coincided again. I've done well when I've come here and now he's called me back when the situation is more complicated at my club," he added.
"I didn't say anything to him when I saw the list, but I am very grateful and excited. All of us who are here are very fortunate, there are teammates who didn't come and could have been here because of their level."
Spain will open their Group E campaign against Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon, while they will also take on Germany and Japan in the group stage of the tournament.
Matt Law
