Jordi Alba announces retirement after Inter Miami season

Jordi Alba announced that he will retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of Inter Miami's run in this season's Major League Soccer playoffs, the 36 year old left back said on social media and at a club training session. The announcement comes with the regular MLS season nearing its end and just days after Inter Miami held a retirement ceremony for Sergio Busquets.

"The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life," Alba wrote on social media. "I have 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." Speaking at the team's training base in Fort Lauderdale, he added that he still feels physically capable but believes retiring now is "the most honest, the fairest thing to do."

Alba, who joined Inter Miami after Lionel Messi's move to the club in 2023, will finish the campaign with a side that currently sits third in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami has two regular season matches remaining before the playoffs begin later this month, and the club plans to pay tribute to Alba at its match on Saturday against Atlanta United.