Lionel Messi braced for emotional farewell as Barcelona icon officially announces retirement

Lionel Messi has seen a second Inter Miami team-mate announce his retirement in the space of weeks, as Jordi Alba calls time on an incredible career. The 36-year-old revealed on Tuesday that he will call it quits at the end of the current MLS season.

Taking to the stories section of his Instagram account, the full-back shared a portrait photograph of himself which read: "Jordi Alba. Gracias Futbol."

He also shared a statement to Inter Miami's official club site, which read: "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.

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"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."

The club also wrote: "Inter Miami CF announces that Jordi Alba has decided to bring his professional playing career to an end at the conclusion of the current season. The upcoming MLS Playoffs will mark the final chapter of an outstanding career and two successful seasons with our club.

"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.

"Recognised worldwide as one of the best left backs of his generation, Jordi brought to Miami the same level of excellence that defined his brilliant career with FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team, where he won major titles and represented his country with pride."

Alba will bring an impressive 19-year career to an end at the close of the season. After bouncing between the youth systems of Hospitalense, Barcelona, Cornella and Valencia, the Spaniard signed his first professional contract with Cornella in 2006. He spent a year with the club before moving on to Valencia B.

After gaining promotion to the first-team in 2009, Alba spent three years with the La Liga giants before moving on to Barcelona - the club where he spent the bulk of his career. Alba represented the Catalan side for 11 years in total, racking up 27 goals and 99 assists from 459 appearances - almost unprecedented for a full-back.

During his tenure at the Camp Nou, he also lifted six La Liga titles, nine domestic cups, a coveted Champions League and a Club World Cup. He then reunited with Messi and Sergio Busquets, who he had spent the bulk of his Barcelona playing days alongside, at Inter Miami in 2023.

Luis Suarez also joined his former team-mates Stateside last year, where he has continued to impress at the age of 38. Since joining Inter Miami, Alba has racked up a further 95 appearances to date, winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield last year.

He was also named in the MLS Best XI, as well as Inter Miami's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, while clinching MLS All-Star honours over the past two successive years. It will be a major blow to Messi, given that the Argentine will also be without Busquets next season, given the Spaniard announced his own intentions to retire at the end of the year last month.

Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Busquets said: "I feel that the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional soccer player. It has been almost 20 years enjoying this incredible story that I have always dreamed of.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and to football, for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story."

It comes as Messi is also out of contract with Inter Miami at the end of the year. While there has been talks of the forward extending the duration of his stay with the club, nothing has been put in writing as of yet.

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