Lionel Messi has paid a warm tribute to his teammate , Jordi Alba who has confirmed to retirement at the end of the 2025 MLS season.
despite signing a new deal earlier this year, the 36-year-old left-back, decided to call it quits. On Instagram, Messi, who has a strong bond with Alba, responded: “I only thank you, Jordi. I am really going to miss you way too much. After so much time that we have been together, it will definitely be weird that I will look to my left and not find you there. It’s insane how many assists you gave me all these years… Who is going to pass me the ball now?”
Messi and Alba began their partnership in Barcelona in 2012, and it lasted for over 10 years, extracting out of it five times each La Liga and Copa del Rey, one UEFA Champions League title, and one Club World Cup. Later in 2023, they both hit the road to Miami where they made the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield trophy their own.
Together they have played 413 games at the two clubs and scored 48 goals which is the fifth highest number of goals scored by one of Messi’s teammates.
Messi is facing a big change as this will be his last season with the legendary trio of Alba and Sergio Busquets – the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in his memorable career.