Barcelona legend Jordi Alba announces retirement from football
Jordi Alba calls time on his remarkable career
Katlego Sekhu
Barcelona FC legend and current Inter Miami star Jordi Alba has announced his retirement from professional football.
In his announcement, the 36-year-old said he felt it was the right time to bring his illustrious career to an end.
“The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life,” Alba shared. “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.”
Alba began his youth career at Barcelona’s famed academy, La Masia, but was released at age 16 for being considered too small. He went on to play for Cornellà and later Valencia, where he successfully transitioned from winger to left-back.
In 2012, Alba returned to Barcelona, becoming a cornerstone of the team for over a decade. During his eleven seasons at the club, he won six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He formed one of football’s most iconic partnerships with Lionel Messi and made over 450 appearances for the club, eventually serving as Barcelona’s fourth captain.
On the international stage, Alba made his debut for Spain in 2011 and played a crucial role in their UEFA Euro 2012 victory, scoring in the final as Spain beat Italy 4-0. He went on to represent his country in multiple World Cups and European Championships and captained Spain to win the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League.
Currently playing for Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba will hang up his boots at the end of the current Major League Soccer season, closing one of the most decorated careers in modern football.
Read Next: Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala joins Bafana Bafana squad for crucial qualifiers