In a heartfelt moment that captured the attention of football fans worldwide, Lionel Messi shared an emotional tribute to his longtime teammate Jordi Alba following the latter’s unexpected retirement announcement. Alba, the dynamic 36-year-old left-back, revealed on Tuesday that he will hang up his boots at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, despite recently signing a contract extension with Inter Miami that would have kept him on the pitch through 2027. Messi’s poignant Instagram comment, calling the prospect of playing without Alba “strange,” laid bare the deep bond between the two footballing icons and sparked reflection on their storied partnership.
“Thanks to you, Jordi. I’m going to miss you so much. After so much together, it’s going to feel strange to look to my left and not see you there,” Messi wrote. “Crazy how many assists you gave me all these years… Who’s gonna give me back passes now???” The words, laced with nostalgia and gratitude, underscored the end of an era for one of football’s most iconic duos.
The Messi-Alba connection began in the 2012–13 season when Alba, fresh off winning the UEFA Euros with Spain, joined Barcelona. What followed was a partnership that defined an era of dominance for the Catalan giants. Together, they clinched five La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies, three Spanish Super Cups, the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, and the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. Their on-field chemistry was electric, with Alba’s pinpoint crosses and tireless runs down the left flank perfectly complementing Messi’s otherworldly vision and finishing.
Their reunion at Inter Miami in 2023 reignited that magic. The duo powered the club to its first major trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and followed it with a record-breaking Supporters’ Shield triumph in 2024. Now, as Alba prepares to retire, they aim to cap their journey with one final prize: the MLS Cup in 2025.
Alba’s retirement announcement came as a shock to fans, given his recent contract extension and consistent performances. Yet, the Spaniard’s statement radiated clarity and contentment. “I do so with complete conviction, with peace and with happiness,” Alba said. “Because I feel I’ve walked this path with every ounce of passion possible and now is the right time to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”
At 36, Alba’s decision reflects a desire to leave the game on his terms, with his legacy intact. His departure, alongside that of fellow Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, who is also set to retire at season’s end, marks a turning point for Messi and Inter Miami. The 2026 season will usher in a new chapter for the Argentine maestro, one without two of his most trusted allies.
The Messi-Alba partnership is one for the history books. According to Transfermarkt, as of October 7, 2025, the pair have played 413 matches together across their time at Barcelona and Inter Miami, amassing 32,770 minutes on the pitch. Their 48 direct goal involvements—goals scored from one another’s assists—rank Alba as Messi’s fifth-most prolific teammate in this regard, trailing only Luis Suárez (120), Neymar (67), Pedro (54), and Andrés Iniesta (53).
Their record together is equally staggering: 277 wins, 74 draws, and 62 losses, averaging 2.19 points per game. Alba ranks as Messi’s fifth-most successful teammate in terms of victories, behind Busquets (448), Gerard Piqué (354), Iniesta (337), and Javier Mascherano (292). These numbers only hint at the intangible chemistry that made their partnership so special.
As Inter Miami prepares for the MLS playoffs, Messi will miss the upcoming match against Atlanta United on October 11 due to international duty with Argentina. However, fans are hopeful that he and Alba will reunite for one final regular-season game on Decision Day, October 18, against Nashville SC. Beyond that, the duo will set their sights on the MLS Cup, a fitting stage for Alba to bid farewell to the sport.
Messi’s “strange” remark encapsulates the bittersweet reality of Alba’s retirement. For over a decade, Alba has been Messi’s ever-reliable partner on the left, delivering inch-perfect passes and sharing in countless triumphs. As Alba steps away, Messi faces a future without one of his greatest allies—a void that will feel, as he put it, undeniably strange.
For now, the football world watches with bated breath, hoping to see Messi and Alba weave their magic one last time. Their legacy, however, is already etched in history—a testament to friendship, brilliance, and an unbreakable bond on the pitch.