Spain defender Jordi Alba will join Inter Miami, rejoining former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, according to club president Jorge Mas. The full-back, who is 34 years old, has already committed to the team and is anticipated to be eligible for selection in their upcoming game on Tuesday against Atlanta. Inter Miami's roster now includes another skilled and seasoned player in Alba, which has fans and supporters of the organization buzzing.
When his contract with Barcelona expired in the summer, Alba left the Spanish powerhouse after more than ten years and 27 goals in 459 games.
In 2015, he assisted them in winning the Champions League and six La Liga championships.
Argentina World Cup winner Messi, 36, and Alba’s fellow Spain international Busquets, 35, have already made the switch to the United States’ Major League Soccer.
Messi and Busquets, who have signed deals until 2025, were presented to a cheering crowd of around 20,000 Inter Miami fans at the club’s DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, flanked by co-owner and ex-England captain David Beckham.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi trained with his Miami team-mates for the first time on Tuesday and is expected to make his debut on Friday in a Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul, of Mexico City.
A different former Barcelona star, 36-year-old Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who presently plays for Brazil's Gremio, has also been connected to Inter Miami in US publications. Suarez is currently playing for Gremio.
The former Liverpool forward played six seasons at the Nou Camp between 2014 and 2020, sharing the field with Messi, Busquets, and Alba.
Mas said on Tuesday: “There’s been a lot of talk about Luis Suarez coming. We haven’t held direct talks with Gremio or with Suarez.
“I don’t know how Luis Suarez can leave Gremio. But if he does, we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility would be there.”
