Balde plays down Real Madrid threat as Barcelona defender targets further growth

Alejandro Balde insists Barcelona are not intimidated by Real Madrid’s summer rebuild under returning coach Jose Mourinho and believes La Liga’s destiny remains in their own hands.

The 22-year-old left-back, speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, stressed that while he respects Madrid’s quality, Barcelona must focus on their own performance if they are to achieve “great things” next season.

“Real Madrid is Real Madrid, one of the best teams in the world, but we have to focus on ourselves. If we do things the right way, we can achieve great things,” Balde said.

He rejected the idea that Barcelona should be fearful of their Clasico rivals following their transfer activity and Mourinho’s comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“We are not afraid of Real Madrid. Football is played 11 against 11. When we are on the pitch, names do not matter,” he added.

La Liga title race ‘depends on us’

Balde underlined that the league campaign will not be defined solely by the two Clasico encounters, despite the spotlight that fixtures against Real Madrid inevitably attract.

“La Liga is long and we only face them in two games. The fate of La Liga depends on us,” he said, emphasising that Barcelona’s consistency across the season will be decisive.

Barcelona have enjoyed strong domestic form in recent years under coach Hansi Flick, and Balde believes the squad has built a platform to compete for every trophy again.

“We have had two great seasons with Hansi Flick and, domestically, we have won almost everything over the last two years. We want more, and we want to continue on the same path. We must keep dreaming and fight for all the titles,” he explained.

Personal development the key target

On an individual level, Balde set out a clear ambition to continue his progression as a regular in the Barcelona side, underlining both his youth and his room for improvement.

“My first objective, as it is every year, is to continue developing and learning. I am still a young player, only 22 years old, and I have a big margin to improve,” he said.

Balde, who has become one of Barcelona’s most highly rated academy products in recent seasons, views personal growth and collective success as closely linked, arguing that his own improvement can help sustain the club’s domestic dominance.

He reiterated that the squad’s mentality under Flick is built around maintaining high standards, staying ambitious and keeping the focus on Barcelona’s own level rather than being distracted by Real Madrid’s moves in the transfer market or on the bench.

By combining his individual targets with the team’s aim of continuing to compete for every trophy, Balde believes Barcelona can build on their recent domestic success and mount another strong challenge for the La Liga title, regardless of the changes taking place across the Clasico divide.