This is an archive article published on October 7, 2025

Former Spain and Barcelona star Jordi Alba set to retire after current MLS season

The 36-year-old Alba came to Inter Miami not long after Messi announced he was headed there in June 2023. Messi’s arrival led to Busquets, Luis Suárez and Alba — all teammates in Barcelona — joining MLS.

3 min readOct 7, 2025 09:39 PM IST

Alba helped Barcelona win six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League in 2015. (Reuters)

Former Spain and Barcelona player Jordi Alba announced on Tuesday that he will be retiring after the current Major League Soccer season ends. Alba, who plays for Lionel’s Messi’s Inter Miami, follows in the footsteps of teammate Sergio Busquets who also said that he would hang up his boots after the current MLS season.

“The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life,” Alba said on social media. “I’ve decided to bring my professional football career to an end at the conclusion of this season. I do so with complete conviction, with peace and with happiness because I feel I’ve walked this path with every ounce of passion I had, and now it’s just the right moment to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”

The 36-year-old Alba came to Inter Miami not long after Messi announced he was headed there in June 2023. Messi’s arrival led to Busquets, Luis Suárez and Alba — all teammates in Barcelona — joining MLS.

🚨 Jordi Alba anuncia que se retirará a final de temporada

Con 36 años se marchará uno de los mejores laterales izquierdos de la historia pic.twitter.com/wwWSorqOEq

— Diario SPORT (@sport) October 7, 2025

Alba helped Barcelona win six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League in 2015.

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“Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Jordi has become a key part of the team. The Spanish defender has shown remarkable consistency, combining experience, technical quality, and determination. During his time with the Club, he has recorded 14 goals and 38 assists to date, contributing to the team’s identity and to Inter Miami’s recent achievements, including the Leagues Cup title and the Supporters’ Shield,” his current club posted on their website.

“This has been a thoughtful decision I’ve considered for a long time. I feel it’s the right moment to begin a new personal chapter and fully enjoy time with my family after so many demanding years in professional football. I’m very happy with my time at Inter Miami and truly grateful for the support of the fans and for having been part of the team’s successes, sharing special moments in the Club’s growth. Now my goal is to finish the season in the best possible way, giving my all in the playoffs,” Alba said as per the aforementioned inter Miami press release.

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