Bayern Munich legends Uli Hoeness and David Alaba remember their FC Barcelona discussion a bit differently

In a recent appearance on the Bayern1 radio show, former Bayern Munich president briefly spoke about David Alaba and the fact that he once revealed his dream club was FC Barcelona. Now, he’s joined Barcelona’s bitter La Liga rivals Real Madrid on a free transfer this past summer after contract negotiations for a potential new deal at Bayern faltered. His wage demands were higher than Bayern was prepared to offer him and as last season progressed, it became increasingly clear that he would be leaving after 13 years in Munich.

Hoeness has never shied away from sharing his opinion, and Bayern’s honorary president has, on several occasions, offered his critical assessment of the current financial issues that La Liga faces, Barcelona in particular. The club is in severe debt and the burdens off the pitch have permeated onto the pitch, where the Catalans have not had a fantastic start to their season. Recalling his conversation with Alaba, Hoeness said, “I said to him: ‘Do you want to negotiate with the president or with the insolvency administrator,” highlighting the club’s financial crisis (Sport1). At the time Hoeness and Alaba had that conversation, it had not yet been made clear that Alaba was definitely going to Real Madrid and Barcelona was still, technically, an option.

Without offering any real insight into what, specifically, was said, when he was asked about the matter earlier this week at Austria’s training camp, the defender said he remembered the conversation going a bit differently. “I can actually remember the conversation. It was a bit different, not like he said it was,” he commented.

Instead of giving his own account of the verbal exchanges, Alaba chose to express his delight with how life has gone in Madrid thus far. “My first impression after the first few weeks and months is very positive. I am happy to be there. I really enjoy getting to know a new culture. To play in another country and take on new challenges,” he explained. So far this season, Alaba has made a total of 9 appearances across all competitions, only missing one of Madrid’s ten competitive fixtures through a muscular problem, which was a 5-2 win over Celta de Vigo. They currently sit in first place in the table.