Jordi Alba Announces Retirement from Football
Former Spain and Barcelona defender, Jordi Alba, has declared that he will hang up his boots at the conclusion of the current Major League Soccer (MLS) season, as he revealed on Tuesday.
Career Overview
Alba’s football journey began in the youth ranks at Barcelona, where he was initially let go due to his stature. However, he made a triumphant return in 2012 when he was signed from Valencia for a fee of 14 million euros (approximately $16.34 million). The left-back enjoyed a remarkable tenure, spending 11 seasons with the Catalan giants.
Move to Inter Miami
In 2023, Alba joined Inter Miami, reuniting with former teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez. Additionally, Javier Mascherano, a former colleague from Barcelona, is the team’s current head coach.
Retirement Announcement
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Alba stated, “The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life.” He further expressed, “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.”
International Career
The 36-year-old defender retired from international duty in 2023 after earning 93 caps for Spain. Notably, he was part of the squad that clinched victory in Euro 2012, where he scored in the final, contributing to a 4-0 triumph over Italy.
Achievements
During his illustrious career at Barcelona, Alba collected an impressive haul of trophies, including:
- Six LaLiga titles
- One UEFA Champions League title
- One FIFA Club World Cup
- Five Copa del Rey titles
In the United States, he secured the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield and is set to conclude his career following the MLS playoffs in November.
