Jordi Alba is leaving. The Inter Miami left-back has announced with a video that he will retire from football at the end of the current season. European champion in 2012 and Champions League winner in 2015 with Barcelona, the player from Hospitalet de Llobregat became one of the best '3' in the history of Spanish football. His retirement follows that of Sergio Busquets, also a teammate at Inter Miami, who announced a few days ago that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season. "I feel that the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. It has been almost 20 years enjoying this incredible story that I always dreamed of," said the midfielder. Jordi Alba anuncia su retirada With 36 years for Jordi Alba and 37 for Busquets, their departure means the end of a historic era in Spanish soccer. Two of Leo Messi's great squires, who wanted to feel supported by them in his time in MLS, are living their last days as soccer players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ghFWjgetca8 Emotional farewell: "I do it with absolute conviction" "Hello everyone, the time has come to close a momentous chapter in my life. I have made the decision to end my career as a professional footballer at the end of this season. I do so with absolute conviction, with fullness and with happiness.Because I feel that I have traveled this road with all the passion possible. And that now is the right time to open a new stage and close the previous one with the best of feelings. Football has given me absolutely everything.Thanks to all my teammates, coaches, staff, club workers and rivals who demanded me to give my best. I want to thank in a special way the clubs that have marked my life. To Atletico Centro Hospitalense, where it all began.To Cornellà, who gave me the confidence I needed to grow. To Nàstic de Tarragona, where I learned to live in a professional dressing room and matured alongside great teammates. To Valencia Club de Futbol, the club that granted me my dream of making my debut in the First Division.To FC Barcelona, the club of my life, the one that saw me grow up as a child and allowed me to reach the top of my career, to live more than a decade unforgettable and conquer all possible titles. To the Spanish national team, proud to have worn this jersey and grateful to be part of its history. And finally to Inter Miami, thank you for opening its doors, welcoming me with affection and giving me the opportunity to culminate this journey enjoying until the last moment.Thank you to all the fans for your love. You taught me that the jersey is not only worn, it is felt. Thank you to my parents and my brother, for being by my side every step of the way since I was a child.For all the efforts you made to make my dream come true. This is yours too. I love you very much.To my wife and children, thank you for making me smile even on the mature days and for always reminding me what really matters. Love, thank you for always being there. Without your support and advice, no one would have been the same.Everything I have achieved I have done thinking of you. This career is also yours. I love you.Today I close this chapter knowing that I have given everything. Football has been, is and always will be an essential part of my life. Thank you football. Thank you for so much".
