Spain, Inter Miami Star Alba Retiring at the End of the Season

Jordi Alba, the Spanish international defender for Inter Miami, has declared his retirement from professional football following the conclusion of the current Major League Soccer campaign.

The player, who earned 93 appearances for the Spanish national team from 2011 to 2023 and played a pivotal role at Barcelona during that period, made his announcement via an Instagram post.

"It is now time to conclude a profoundly significant chapter of my life. I have chosen to end my professional football journey once this season concludes," Alba stated in the post.

"I believe I have pursued this path with all the passion I possess and it is now the appropriate moment to begin a new phase, concluding the prior one with the most positive sentiment possible.

"Today, I end this chapter with the knowledge that I have committed my entire self to it. Football has been, and will remain, a fundamental aspect of my existence. I am grateful to football for all it has given me."

A skilled attacking fullback, Alba became part of Inter Miami in 2023, reuniting with former Barcelona colleagues Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Although Alba originally intended to continue until the 2027 season, he has now decided to conclude his career, which features six La Liga championships with Barcelona and a UEFA Champions League triumph. He also played a vital role in Spain's victorious 2012 European Championship campaign.