Inter Miami Left-back Jordi Alba announced his retirement from professional football via Instagram post on Tuesday, which prompted emotional response from teammates Lionel Messi. Alba’s decision came shortly after the midfielder Sergio Busquets also announced his retirementMarking the end of the era for former Barcelona teammate in Inter Miami, with Messi.Alba made the announcement with a simple message on social media expressing his gratitude to the sport, saying “Thank you, football, thank you very much.”Messi responded to the announcement of the Alba retirement with a sincere comment acknowledging their old partnership in the field. “Thanks to you, Jordi. I will miss you so much. After so much together, it will be weird to look left and not see you there … Crazy how much help you give me all year .. Who will give me back PAS now? “Messi wrote.
Lionel Messi’s comment on Jordi Alba’s Instagram post announced his retirement from football. (Instagram)
Both played 413 games together all the time in Barcelona and Inter Miami, forming a great partnership that saw Alba consistently helping Messi from the left wing. Alba provides Messi with 33 assists while in the field, only Luis Suarez (60), Dani Alves (42), and Andres Iniesta (37) are assisted more.Their partnerships, which began in Barcelona, continued as they reunite at Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer, where they maintained chemistry in their field despite their final stages.Alba previously shared his motivation to join Inter Miami in an interview with CBS Sports last year. “I’m not tired of winning, I want to keep winning, to keep competing, if I don’t have that fun, I will not come here, I’ll stay in Barcelona, at home, not play football,” he said.The Spanish defense also explained that his decision to join Inter Miami was influenced by the presence of his former teammates. “The opportunity is very interesting. I also want to go back with Leo [Messi] and the Busi [Sergio Busquets] And now luis [Suarez] have also come. So this is the incentive that brought me that decision, “Alba said.Alba’s career has been marked with significant achievements, including six La Liga titles with Barcelona and the Champions League trophy. Although he initially planned to continue playing until 2027, he decided to conclude his professional career at the end of the current season.
