Lionel Messi has paid a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and teammate Jordi Alba, after the veteran full-back shocked fans by announcing his decision to retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season.
For Messi, it’s more than just a teammate stepping away — it’s the end of one of football’s most effortless partnerships.
A sudden goodbye
Alba, now 36, made the surprise announcement on Tuesday, confirming he will hang up his boots despite only recently extending his Inter Miami contract through 2027.
“I do so with complete conviction, peace and happiness,” Alba explained. “I’ve walked this path with every ounce of passion possible, and now feels like the right time to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”
The statement caught many off guard — but none more than Messi, who responded almost immediately with a touching message that summed up more than a decade of shared success.
Messi’s message: “It’s going to feel strange”
“Thanks to you, Jordi. I’m going to miss you so much,” Messi wrote on Instagram. “After so much time together, it’s going to feel strange to look to my left and not see you there. Crazy how many assists you gave me all these years… Who’s gonna give me back passes now???”
It’s the kind of message that hits hard if you’ve watched their connection over the years — that instant understanding between a magician and his mirror.
From Barcelona brilliance to Miami magic
Messi and Alba’s story began back in the 2012/13 season, when the Spanish defender joined Barcelona fresh off a triumphant Euro 2012 campaign with Spain. From day one, their chemistry was undeniable — quick one-twos, overlapping runs, and that trademark cut-back to Messi’s left foot that broke countless defenses.
Together they conquered almost everything:
5 La Liga titles
5 Copa del Rey trophies
3 Spanish Super Cups
2015 Champions League
2015 FIFA Club World Cup
When both men reunited at Inter Miami in 2023, the magic returned instantly. They lifted the Leagues Cup that same year and followed it with a record-breaking Supporters’ Shield in 2024 — proof that age might slow legs, but not chemistry. Now, the dream is to close Alba’s glittering career with one last prize: the MLS Cup.
A partnership written in numbers
According to Transfermarkt (as of Oct. 7, 2025):
- Matches together: 413
- Minutes shared on the pitch: 32,770
- Joint goal contributions: 48
- Points per game: 2.19
Those numbers place Alba among Messi’s most trusted allies ever. Only Mascherano (414), Iniesta (489), Piqué (506)and Busquets (643) have played more games with the Argentine.
Even more impressive — their 48 combined goals make Alba Messi’s fifth most productive teammate, behind only Suárez (120), Neymar (67), Pedro (54) and Iniesta (53).
The end of an era
Across 277 wins, 74 draws and 62 losses together, Messi and Alba built something rare — consistency, trust, and friendship at the highest level. With Sergio Busquets also expected to retire at the end of the season, the curtain is closing on a generation that defined not only Barcelona, but Messi’s own career arc.
For Messi, 2026 will be a year of change — a future without the familiar faces who helped him reach footballing immortality.
And you can bet, when he lines up next season and glances left, the absence of Jordi Alba will be felt — deeply.
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