Inter Miami left-back Jordi Alba has once again opened up about his relationship with longtime friend and teammate Lionel Messi, continuing the heartfelt reflections he shared earlier this month. The pair rose through the ranks together at Barcelona, where they developed a formidable connection on the pitch.
After spending nine years side by side at the Catalan club, Messi and Alba brought their friendship and footballing partnership to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, where they currently both play.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Alba made a surprising announcement: he will hang up his boots at the end of the current season. The news left his teammates emotional — none more so than Lionel Messi, who wrote a heartfelt message paying tribute to Alba on his retirement announcement.
In a recent interview with *Sport*, Jordi Alba spoke candidly about his bond with Messi, whom he described as the best player in history.
> “I never imagined I’d get to play with the best in history or have the connection we share on the pitch. It’s been a privilege. I’ve played practically my entire career with him, and we still understand each other without even looking. It’s an honor to have shared the field with Leo, who for me is the best player in history,” Alba said.
To date, Messi and Alba have lined up together 416 times across Barcelona and Inter Miami, combining for an impressive total of 51 goals. The Argentine icon currently ranks as the second player Alba has played the most matches with throughout his career.
### A Changing Era at Inter Miami
Before Alba’s announcement, Sergio Busquets also confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season. This means Luis Suárez will likely be the only former Barcelona teammate remaining with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in 2026.
Discussing Alba and Busquets’ retirements in an interview with renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano for Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, Messi reflected on the emotional impact:
> “Honestly, it’s tough. First, because you realize you’ve devoted your whole professional life to soccer, you see people around you starting to leave, and you understand that your own time will come soon.
>
> We were always in harmony on and off the field and shared a lot, even with our families. So it’s a loss of friends, both on and off the field. And of course, these are also difficult moments for them, because leaving behind something you love is never easy.”
### Messi’s Future at Inter Miami
While entering the twilight of his own career, Lionel Messi has shown no sign of winding down just yet. Recently, he signed a contract extension that will keep him at Inter Miami until 2028, signaling his intent to continue writing his storied legacy in MLS.
As Jordi Alba prepares to close his chapter on professional football, fans and teammates alike celebrate the incredible careers and friendships forged on and off the pitch by these legendary players.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-we-still-understand-without-even-looking-inter-miami-veteran-opens-connection-lionel-messi