Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba has announced he will retire at the end of the current Major League Soccer (MLS) season, bringing an end to a glittering career spanning more than 15 years, Afrosport reports.
The 36-year-old, who won multiple titles with Barcelona and Spain, shared the news in an emotional video on Tuesday. His decision comes as a surprise, having signed a new deal with Miami in May that was set to run until 2027.
Alba joined the MLS side in 2023, reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
“The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter of my life,” Alba said in his announcement message. “I do so with complete conviction, with peace and with happiness. I feel I’ve walked this path with every ounce of passion I had. And now it’s the right moment to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”
During his illustrious career, Alba made over 700 club appearances, scoring 51 goals and providing 135 assists. He won 17 major trophies with Barcelona, including six La Liga titles, five Copa del Reys, and one Champions League.
For Spain, he earned 93 caps, scoring nine goals and winning Euro 2012 and the 2022–23 Nations League.
Since moving to the United States, Alba has added the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield to his collection and could end his career on another high, with Inter Miami still in the MLS Cup Playoffs later this month.
His announcement follows that of Sergio Busquets, who will also retire at the end of the MLS campaign.
