Barcelona defender Jordi Alba hits out at ´lies´ over salary cut

Jordi Alba accused people of spreading misinformation regarding his willingness to take a pay cut at Barcelona, insisting he will join Gerard Pique in reducing his salary to help the club’s dire financial situation.

After a tumultuous week that saw Lionel Messi complete his stunning switch to Paris Saint-Germain, Barca launched their LaLiga campaign with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad in which Pique opened the scoring on Sunday.

The former Spain defender headed home a free-kick from new signing Memphis Depay, who was only playing because Pique agreed a substantial salary reduction that allowed Barcelona to register the Netherlands forward within their league-enforced salary limit.

Speaking after the match, where Martin Braithwaite scored two goals and laid on the game-clinching goal for Sergi Roberto, Pique confirmed fellow club captains Alba, Roberto and Sergio Busquets would also bring down their pay.

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“My commitment to Barca has always been total, I’ve been here all my life, 10 years in the first team and eight in the youth categories,” Alba told reporters after the game to address suggestions in some quarters he had not been as forthcoming as Pique in Barcelona’s time of need.

“I can speak for myself and for the president [Joan Laporta]. We are all going in the same direction. As Gery has said, the commitment has always been the same. Now it will be our turn [to take pay cuts] and there should be no doubt about us.

“What hurts me is that lies are told, I think I’ve shown how I feel about Barca. The club has given me a lot and we have to be grateful. What hurts me is the lies.

“I think I have to give face, I will give everything as I have always done on the pitch. Things can turn out better or worse, but no one can doubt the commitment.

“My commitment has always been to help the club, just like the rest of the captains.”

Alba also reflected on the departure of Messi, with whom he shared a close bond on and off the field.

However, he insisted it had not been within the capabilities of himself and the other club captains to make it financially viable for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to remain at Camp Nou.

“Leo, apart from being the best in history, was the player I understood the best, so imagine the efforts I would have made for him,” the left-back said.

“Leo is an issue separate from the captains, it is a matter of the club

“What I cannot bear is lies and things being leaked so that my character is doubted. I am the first to admit it if I am wrong, but I can’t stand the lies.”