Barcelona legend announces retirement
Former Spain and Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will retire from football at the end of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the Inter Miami player said, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
Alba began his career as a youth player at Barcelona, who released him because he was considered too short. However, he returned to the Catalan club in 2012 from Valencia for €14 million ($16.34 million) and spent 11 seasons there.
He joined Inter Miami in 2023, reuniting with former teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez, while another ex-Barcelona player, Javier Mascherano, is currently the coach.
"The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life," Alba said in a video posted on Instagram.
"I’ve decided to end my professional football career at the end of this season. I do so with complete conviction, peace, and happiness."
The 36-year-old retired from international football in 2023 after making 93 appearances for Spain and being part of the Euro 2012 winning team, where he scored in the 4-0 final victory over Italy.
Alba won six La Liga titles with Barcelona, a Champions League, the Club World Cup, and five Copa del Rey trophies. In the U.S., he won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield. He will retire in November after the MLS playoffs.
