JUST-IN : Jordi Alba Announces Retirement

By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.

Jordi Alba, one of football’s outstanding left-backs, has announced his retirement from professional football, set to conclude at the end of Inter Miami CF’s 2025 MLS season, including any playoff run. The 36-year-old Spaniard, whose dynamic runs and pinpoint crosses defined an era at FC Barcelona, Spain, and Inter Miami, shared the news in an emotional video on his social media accounts, calling it “the right moment to start a new chapter.”

Early Beginnings
Born on March 21, 1989, in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Jordi Alba Ramos started his football journey at six, joining FC Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy as a left winger. Released in 2005 for being deemed too small, Alba’s resilience shone through. He moved to UE Cornellà’s youth setup before Valencia CF signed him for €6,000. At Valencia, he transitioned to left-back, a positional switch that would shape his legacy.

Club Career
Alba’s professional career spanned four senior clubs across 18 years, with 652 appearances, 47 goals, and 133 assists.

• Valencia CF (2007–2012): Alba debuted in La Liga on September 13, 2009, in a 4–2 win over Real Valladolid. He played 81 matches across all competitions, scoring five goals. A loan spell at Gimnàstic Tarragona (2007–2008, Segunda División) saw him make 35 appearances.
• FC Barcelona (2012–2023): Returning to his boyhood club for €14 million, Alba became a cornerstone of Barcelona’s golden era. In 459 appearances, he scored 27 goals and provided 99 assists, forming a legendary partnership with Lionel Messi. His 83% pass accuracy and relentless overlapping runs were hallmarks of his game.
• Inter Miami CF (2023–2025): Joining in July 2023, Alba reunited with Messi and Sergio Busquets. He debuted in a Leagues Cup win over Orlando City and scored his first goal in the 2023 semi-final against Philadelphia Union. Across 71 matches, he scored seven goals and added 14 assists, with a standout 2025 MLS season (45 games, four goals, nine assists). International Career

Alba earned 93 caps for Spain, debuting on October 11, 2011, in a 3–0 win over Albania during Euro 2012 qualifiers. He scored 10 goals, including one in the Euro 2012 final, helping Spain to the title. As captain, he led La Roja to the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, retiring from international duty in 2023.

Career Stats

• Club:
• La Liga (Valencia/Barcelona): 280 appearances, 18 goals, 52 assists, 114 clean sheets.
• MLS (Inter Miami): 45 appearances, 4 goals, 9 assists, 3 clean sheets (2025 season: 83.01% pass accuracy, 1.98 key passes per game).
• Total: 652 appearances, 47 goals, 133 assists.
• International (Spain): 93 caps, 10 goals. Trophies

Alba’s 23 major honors reflect his role in some of football’s greatest teams:

• FC Barcelona (16):
• La Liga: 6 (2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022–23)
• Copa del Rey: 5 (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21)
• Supercopa de España: 4 (2013, 2016, 2018, 2023)
• UEFA Champions League: 1 (2014–15)
• UEFA Super Cup: 1 (2015)
• FIFA Club World Cup: 1 (2015)
• Inter Miami CF (2):
• Leagues Cup: 1 (2023)
• MLS Supporters’ Shield: 1 (2024)
• Spain (3):
• UEFA European Championship: 1 (2012)
• UEFA Nations League: 2 (2010–11, 2022–23)
• Individual:
• UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament
• La Liga Team of the Season: 4x (2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2022–23)
• MLS All-Star: 2023, 2024 Legacy and Final Chapter

Alba’s retirement follows that of teammate Sergio Busquets, announced on September 25, 2025, marking the end of an era for Barcelona’s old guard. Inter Miami, third in the MLS Eastern Conference with two regular-season games left, could extend Alba’s career into December if they reach the MLS Cup final. Reports suggest the club is eyeing Sergio Reguilón as his replacement.

In his farewell, Alba called Barcelona “the club of my life” and thanked Valencia and Inter Miami for their roles in his journey. Fans and pundits have flooded social media with tributes, celebrating his 700+ professional games, 23 trophies, and a style that redefined the left-back role. As he prepares for his final matches, Alba leaves behind a legacy of passion, precision, and unparalleled success.

Galaxy Sports Production