Post by : Rameen Ariff

Former Spain and Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has announced that he will retire from professional football at the conclusion of the Major League Soccer (MLS) 2025 season. Alba, 36, currently plays for Inter Miami, where he reunited with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Alba shared his decision in a video on Instagram, saying, “The moment has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life. I’ve decided to bring my professional football career to an end at the conclusion of this season. I do so with complete conviction, peace and happiness.” He added that football had given him everything and thanked teammates, coaches, staff, and rivals for inspiring him to give his best.

During his illustrious career at Barcelona, Alba played 605 matches, scoring 37 goals and providing 107 assists, helping the club win six LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy. Alba expressed gratitude to Barcelona, calling it “the club of my life,” and reminisced about his decade-long journey full of unforgettable memories and major titles.

Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Alba made 63 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 27 assists, while earning two MLS All-Star selections. He thanked Inter Miami for the opportunity and praised the fans for their passion, saying, “You taught me that the shirt isn’t just worn, it’s felt.”

Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, applauded Alba’s career, highlighting his contributions on and off the pitch. Mas said, “Jordi has been an exceptional addition to Inter Miami and one of the standout players in Major League Soccer over these two seasons. He will forever be part of our Inter Miami family.”

Inter Miami, currently 17-7-8 with 59 points, has two regular-season matches left before the MLS Cup playoffs. The team will host Atlanta United on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and finish the season against Nashville SC on October 18.

#Sports News