Europe's leading defender reveals he would have joined Barcelona in 2023 if he had received an offer
Last summer, Barcelona chose not to sign a new left back when Jordi Alba left for Inter Miami. It proved costly in the end, as Alejandro Balde picked up a season-ending injury in January, and his replacement – Joao Cancelo – had a string of high-profile defensive mistakes when he was on.
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea): “Returning to Barça in the future? I don't think about it. You can never say, but now it doesn't cross my mind.” @tjcope
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 22, 2024
Before Alba decided to leave, Barcelona had been linked with Alejandro Grimaldo, something he was very familiar with. The 28-year-old arrived for La Masia, although he was unable to get a chance in the first team before leaving for Benfica in 2016.
He left the Portuguese giants at the end of the 2022-23 season, and speaking MDHe revealed that he would return to Barcelona if he received an offer.
“Well, last year my contract ended and Barcelona would always have been a great opportunity for me, something very attractive. But in this case Barcelona did not want to count on me. They also had two great defenders at the epic”.
Grimaldo is currently with Spain at Euro 2024, and spoke highly of his teammate, and Barcelona sensation, Lamine Yamal.
“He is an incredible player – he has no ceiling, he surprised me a lot. I have never seen him up close, and despite his age, he makes a difference in every training session, in every match. He is unique.”
“I tell him to work hard, to take care of himself, because a player like that, I hope he never gets injured because it's a pleasure to watch him play, whether in your team or as a spectator. He needs to have a mentality strong, and you know that despite the fact that there are ups and downs, you have to stay mentally strong.”
