Marcos Alonso said he had ‘always wanted’ to play for Barcelona at his official unveiling at the La Liga club.
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The 31-year-old has completed his long-awaited move to the Camp Nou from Chelsea, having been linked with the transfer for quite some time.
Over the course of six years, Alonso enjoyed great success at Stamford Bridge winning six trophies including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League, as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2018.
But at his unveiling back in his native Spain, the left-back professed his love for Barcelona, perhaps unsurprising given that both his father, also named Marcos Alonso, and great-grandfather played for the club.
‘Having the opportunity to be part of this great team is what I’ve always wanted, since I was a child, since my father brought me to the Camp Nou,’ Alonso said.
‘I’m very happy to join the team where my father triumphed. A new team, I’m starting from scratch, I have to work hard to earn a place.
‘[I can offer] mostly experience and help for the younger players. It also depends on what the boss wants from me, but I can score a goal or two from free kicks.’
While he does have a familiar connection to Barcelona, Alonso actually began his career at their arch-rivals Real Madrid, coming through their academy but only making one senior appearance for Los Blancos.
He subsequently moved on to Bolton, Fiorentina and Sunderland on loan, before joining Chelsea in 2016.
Perhaps more bizarrely, his grandfather Marquitos also played for Real Madrid and was part of the famous side that won five European Cups (Champions Leagues) in the 1950s.
As for when Alonso will make his Barcelona debut, Xavi confirmed it would not be in the Champions League game against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.
‘They [Alonso and fellow new recruit Hector Bellerin] are two signings, they have to get used to what we are doing,’ the manager said.
‘They haven’t had minutes this season and they need a little more physical work. Saturday [against Cadiz in the league] they will be in the squad.’
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