Balde: It's all happened so quickly, four months ago I was with Barça B

Balde: It's all happened so quickly, four months ago I was with Barça B

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The Barcelona left-back made his Spain debut at the World Cup on Wednesday

Alejandro Balde is living on a cloud. In the summer, with the continuity of Jordi Alba and the signing of Marcos Alonso, it was speculated that a Barcelona exit could be on the cards because, presumably, he would not get too many minutes. But Xavi decided to keep him after a strong preseason and he is experiencing a breakout season in the left flank.

First, he made the left-back slot his own at Barça and now has come his full debut with the Spanish senior team at the World Cup in Qatar.

Luis Enrique did not hesitate to call him up from the U21s when he was left without José Luis Gayà due to injury. He took him to Qatar and against Costa Rica gave him his first minutes for the national team in place of Jordi Alba.

"Everything has been so fast," he told TV3. "Four months ago I was playing for Barça B, two weeks ago in the U21s. And now, suddenly, I'm playing in a World Cup. It's a dream for me."

"My parents and my friends always help me keep my feet on the ground. It's important to have a good circle of friends," he added of his meteoric rise and if it had gone to his head.

Balde acknowledged that he was nervous before going out onto the pitch but then he played as usual. The national team is filled with Barça players with whom he feels very comfortable.

He is part of a new generation along with Pedri and Gavi tipped to mark an era at the Catalan club and also with the national team.

"It's a spectacle to see Gavi play," h added. "Yesterday we made jokes about him and I call him Gavi-Pelé, because of the record. I'm very happy for him."

Gavi became the youngest goalscorer in a World Cup since Pele in 1958 with his goal in Spain's 7-0 win over Costa Rica.

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