Time catches up with even the greatest legends. Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, opened up about the impending retirements of his longtime teammates and close friends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who will hang up their boots at the end of the current MLS season. In an interview with Apple TV, the Argentine star spoke with a mix of sadness and gratitude about what these departures mean for him both personally and professionally.

“It’s the Loss of Friends”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who recently extended his Inter Miami contract through 2028, didn’t hide his nostalgia when reflecting on the moment:

“Honestly, it’s difficult. First, because you realize you’ve dedicated your entire professional life to football, and the people around you start to leave. You understand that your own moment is also getting closer,” Messi said.

The Argentine, visibly emotional, reminisced about the years he shared on and off the pitch with his two close friends:

“We were always in sync, on and off the field. We shared so much, even with our families. So yes, it’s the loss of friends—both inside and outside football.”

Messi acknowledged that while he understands their reasons for stepping away, it still feels like an emotional blow:

“It’s a tough moment for them too, because leaving behind something you love is never easy.”

From Barcelona to Miami: A Friendship Etched in History

The bond between Messi, Busquets, and Alba goes far beyond football. Together, they were part of one of the most successful eras in FC Barcelona’s history, forging an unmatched connection on and off the pitch. Busquets, who debuted for the first team in the 2008/09 season, played a key role in Pep Guardiola’s historic treble-winning side. Alba, meanwhile, joined from Valencia in 2012, becoming a vital piece of Barcelona’s golden generation.

The trio spent more than a decade together at the Catalan club before reuniting in Miami, where they once again shared a locker room—this time in a completely different league, but with the same competitive spirit.

A Shared Legacy at Inter Miami

The trio will take the field this Saturday for the second leg of the MLS playoffs against Nashville, with Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side holding a 3–1 advantage from the first leg, led by a Messi brace.

Currently, the Argentine remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million, followed by Busquets at $8.7 million, and Alba at $6 million.

Both Spaniards will retire at the end of the season, leaving Messi as the last active member of that legendary Barcelona generation that defined an era.

“Everything comes to an end, but I’ll always have the memories, the titles, and the friendship we built,” concluded the Inter Miami captain, in a tone that hinted he, too, may be beginning to look toward his own horizon.