So, I wanted to talk a bit about Aleix Vidal today. It feels like ages ago now, but I first really started paying attention to him when he was tearing it up at Almería. I remember watching some of their games, maybe it was highlights mostly back then, and thinking, who is this guy? He had this raw speed and energy down the flank.
Then came the move to Sevilla. That was a big step, you know? I followed that closely. I was curious to see how he’d handle it. And honestly? He smashed it. Winning the Europa League with them, that was massive. I watched that final, and his contribution was clear. He wasn’t just fast; he showed he had quality and could deliver in big moments. That really cemented him in my mind as a player to watch.
The Barcelona Chapter
Okay, the Barcelona transfer. Wow. That was huge news. I remember the buzz around it. Of course, there was that transfer ban thing, so he couldn’t play right away. I felt a bit bad for him, honestly. Having to train for months without being able to actually get on the pitch for a competitive game? That must have been tough mentally.
When he finally got to play, I watched his first few games intently. It was a mixed bag, wasn’t it? Let’s be real. Competing with Dani Alves, then later Sergi Roberto popping up at right-back… it wasn’t easy for him to get consistent minutes. There were flashes, moments where you saw the Sevilla player shine through, but injuries and maybe just the sheer pressure of playing for Barça seemed to hold him back sometimes.
What I noticed:
- His versatility was always there. He could play right-back or further up as a winger. I always appreciated players who could do that.
- Sometimes, maybe his defensive positioning wasn’t quite Barça-level, especially early on. But going forward, he still had that threat.
- The injuries were just rotten luck. Every time it felt like he might get a run of games, something seemed to happen.
Moving On and Later Career
Eventually, he went back to Sevilla, then moved around a bit more. I kept tabs on him, checking scores or watching clips when I could. It felt like he was searching for that consistency and happiness he had during his first Sevilla spell. Seeing him pop up at Espanyol later on was interesting too, playing for Barça’s city rivals.
Looking back, his journey was quite something. From lower leagues, working his way up, hitting the heights with Sevilla, the massive move to Barcelona which had its challenges, and then continuing his career. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but I always respected his work rate when he was on the pitch. He always seemed like a player who gave his all, even when things weren’t going perfectly. It’s just how I saw it, following his path over the years.
