The former Barcelona midfielder may be 35 now, but he’s eyeing even more trophy glory in MLS...
Words Franco Panizo
What has it been like reuniting with your former Barcelona team-mates, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, in Miami?
We’re very happy to meet up again after many years – that wasn’t the case with Jordi, because we’d still been playing together at Barça, but I’m happy to be with Leo and Luis, and not just because it means we get to play together once again. It’s more than that – we’re mates and have great relationships. Now we can have our families back together while we live this experience. That makes this whole thing even more satisfying – and hopefully we win, as we did in our last stint at Barça.
How much time do you all spend together there?
It depends on the day. We see each other a lot at training, of course, but there are many days when our kids play football or go to school.
Do you think Suarez can be a big addition to the team this season?
He’s scored goals throughout his career wherever he’s played. If I’m not mistaken, last season he was the standout player in a tough old league like Brazil’s first division and scored a lot of goals, delivered a lot of assists and had a brilliant year.
How do you make this all-star team into a side that wins the MLS title?
While we have players who have been very successful, have played together and get along really well off the pitch, it’s clear that our ambition and intention is to win. That’s why we came here, so yes the big names and players may be here, but we have to be a solid team. Whether we’re considered the favourites or have star names, we have to demonstrate it on the field. We’ve had a pre-season and lots of practice that has served us well, especially for Leo, Jordi and myself, because last year we got here in the summer and practically had no time to train. We played every three or four days in various competitions. We have to work on being a solid team, on getting to know one another and trying to concede fewer goals – with the players we have in attack, I think we’ll always have chances to score goals and win matches that way. So, the most important thing is to work hard on our defensive solidity.
What have you thought about the busy pre-season schedule, with plenty of tr
