David Alaba once developed into a world-class player at FC Bayern, but in 2021 the Austrian left his training club for Real Madrid. Now the veteran has spoken about his relationship with the German record champions.
“That was a formative time for me as a player and person. I matured and grew up there, experienced bitter defeats and celebrated many titles,” said David Alaba, looking back on his 13 years at FC Bayern in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine.
In Munich, the fan favorite became German champion ten times, six-time DFB Cup winner and two-time Champions League winner. The club will “always have a place in my heart,” emphasized Alaba. But: “I’m not someone who constantly reminisces about the past.”
This means: The view is forward. The Austrian World Cup participant is looking for a club in parallel with the preparation for the XXL tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. His contract with Spanish top team Real Madrid expires on June 30th.
A return to FC Bayern is considered almost impossible. Last November, sports director Christoph Freund told “Sky”: “There are no plans now.”
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A commitment in the US MLS is more likely, and there are also said to be several interested parties for Alaba in Saudi Arabia. It is also said that RB Salzburg has thrown its hat into the ring.
FC Bayern prodigy? “Not always easy” for Alaba
The now 33-year-old was once celebrated as a child prodigy at Bayern. A stamp that didn’t always make things easy for him. “Especially as a young player, when you suddenly find yourself in the public eye and get a lot of attention, it’s not always easy,” admitted Alaba.
Nowadays he sees “a lot of things differently than he did ten years ago” and deals with them “differently,” the experienced left-footer added: “For example, I have learned a lot through injuries – especially when it comes to dealing with setbacks.”
