Former Barcelona legend and Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba is retiring from professional football, joining teammate Sergio Busquets, as both say farewell to their careers.

The Spanish left-back, fondly called “El Moto,” revealed his decision on Tuesday, 7 October, through an Instagram post, saying it was “the right moment to start a new chapter and close the current one with a beautiful feeling.”

His farewell comes just days after Spanish maestro Busquets revealed plans to retire at the end of the season, a decision that will see both players end their time with Inter Miami, despite Alba’s contract running until 2027.

Born on 21 March 1989, Alba began his football journey at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, which produced stars like Lionel Messi, Busquets, Iniesta, Puyol, Balde, and Gavi.

He was released early in his youth career for being “too small” but fought his way back into the game, joining local side Cornellà and later Valencia CF in 2007. Initially a winger, he was eventually converted to a left-back.

In 2012, he returned to Camp Nou, winning 18 trophies with the Spanish giants, including six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies, four Supercopa de España titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

He left Barcelona in May 2023 after 11 successful seasons, recording 27 goals and 99 assists in 459 appearances.

A few months later, he joined Inter Miami, reuniting with his former Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, in Major League Soccer.