Mansion Sports – Lionel Messi has delivered a heartfelt message to his longtime friend and teammate Jordi Alba following the Spanish full-back’s decision to retire at the end of the 2025 season of Major League Soccer. 

For Messi, playing without Alba on the left flank will feel “weird,” marking the end of one of football’s most iconic on-field partnerships.

A Touching Farewell Between Two Generational Icons

The football world was taken by surprise when Jordi Alba, aged 36, announced that he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, despite having only signed a contract extension with Inter Miami CF in May, intended to keep him at the club until 2027.

The news quickly drew an emotional response from Messi, who shared a decade-long partnership with Alba at FC Barcelona.

“Thank you, Jordi. I will miss you so much. After playing together for so long, it will feel strange to look to the left and not see you there,” Messi wrote on Instagram. 

“It’s crazy to think about how many assists you’ve given me over the years... Who’s going to give me those passes now?”

His words reflected the deep bond they forged both on and off the pitch, symbolizing the end of an era for one of the most recognizable duos in modern football.

A Legendary Partnership Forged at Barcelona

The Messi–Alba connection was born in the 2012–13 season when Alba returned to Barcelona after winning UEFA Euro 2012 with the Spain national football team. 

From the moment he set foot back at Camp Nou, Alba became a vital component in Barcelona’s left-side attack, providing countless key passes and overlaps for Messi.

Over a decade together, they captured five La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies, three Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Champions League title (2014–15), and the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. 

Alba’s understanding of Messi’s movement was almost telepathic, making their combination one of the deadliest in the world.

Reuniting in Miami for One Final Journey

When Messi decided to join Inter Miami in 2023, Alba soon followed, alongside Sergio Busquets, to extend their footballing journey together in the United States. 

The reunion produced immediate success, with the trio helping Inter Miami lift the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024.

Alba expressed his wish to end his career with one last trophy — the MLS Cup — while emphasizing that his decision to retire was made with calm and gratitude.

“I make this decision with full conviction, with peace and happiness, because I feel I have lived this journey with every drop of passion I have. Now is the right time to close one chapter and open a new one,” Alba said in his official statement.

The End of an Era as Busquets and Alba Leave Messi Behind

With Busquets also set to retire at the end of the season, 2026 will mark the closing of a significant chapter in Messi’s career. 

The 38-year-old captain will be the last remaining figure from Barcelona’s golden generation still playing at Inter Miami.

Messi and Alba have shared the pitch in 413 matches for Barcelona and Inter Miami combined, placing Alba fifth on the list of Messi’s most frequent teammates. 

Only Javier Mascherano (414), Andrés Iniesta (489), Gerard Piqué (506), and Busquets (643) have played more games alongside him.

A Historic Partnership Written in Numbers

In terms of goal contributions, the Messi–Alba duo ranks fifth in Messi’s career, combining for a total of 48 goals. 

The only more prolific pairings are Messi with Luis Suárez (120 goals), Neymar (67), Pedro Rodríguez (54), and Iniesta (53).

They also rank fifth in total victories together with 277 wins, trailing Mascherano (292), Iniesta (337), Piqué (354), and Busquets (448).

These statistics highlight their consistent excellence and the enduring impact they had on every competition they entered.

One Last Match and a Bittersweet Goodbye

Messi will miss Inter Miami’s upcoming MLS fixture against Atlanta United FC on October 11 as he fulfills international duty with Argentina national football team. 

However, the duo could share the pitch one final time in the regular season finale against Nashville SC on October 18.

For Messi, this will be an opportunity to pay tribute to a teammate who has been by his side through triumphs and transitions for more than a decade. 

For Alba, it will be the final chapter in a storied career — one built on loyalty, brilliance, and friendship that will be remembered as one of the most iconic partnerships in football history.