The Farewell of an Eternal Partner

Football is witnessing the end of one of its most iconic partnerships. Jordi Alba has officially announced that he will retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2025 Major League Soccer season, closing a career filled with titles and emotions.

In a video shared on Instagram, the 36-year-old Spanish full-back said it was time to end a chapter “with peace and happiness,” thanking all the clubs, teammates, and coaches who shaped his journey. Alba, who shined with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, won 17 trophies with the Blaugrana, including six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey crowns, and the Champions League in 2015 alongside Messi, Suárez, and Neymar.

Messi Between Nostalgia and Admiration

Just hours after the announcement, Lionel Messi responded with a heartfelt message on social media. “Thank you, Jordi. I’m going to miss you so much. After all we’ve shared, it’ll feel strange to look to my left and not see you there. It’s crazy how many assists you’ve given me over all these years. Who’s going to give me those passes from behind now?” wrote the Inter Miami captain, expressing the unique bond they built over more than a decade.

The two played together at Barcelona from 2012 to 2021 and reunited in 2023 in the United States, where they once again shared a dressing room and lifted trophies together.

The Legacy of a Legendary Duo

Neymar and Luis Suárez also joined the farewell, reminiscing about the golden days of the legendary MSN trio. “You’re huge, brother,” wrote Neymar, while Suárez added: “You’re a crack, enjoy what’s left.”

Alba’s retirement leaves Messi as the last remaining member of that generation that changed Barcelona’s history—and later made its mark on Inter Miami. For the Argentine, nostalgia now mixes with gratitude… and with a single question that says it all: Who’s going to give him those perfect passes now?