(Football news) Jordi Alba, a defender for the Spanish national team, was signed by Inter Miami CF on Thursday. His contract will run through the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season with a club option for 2025.
The club anticipates welcoming one of the best left backs in the world who has won six La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Nations League, and one UEFA Euro.
“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad. He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best fullbacks in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack. We know that he’ll help Inter Miami achieve the Club’s objectives this season and beyond,” said Chief Soccer Director and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.
In addition to playing a significant role in Spain’s 2012 UEFA Euro title-winning campaign, Alba has a long record of accomplishments. Most recently, he served as captain of his nation and won the 2023 UEFA Nations League championship last month.
The majority of Alba’s career was spent in his own country before he signed with Inter Miami. The native of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain, began his professional career in the youth ranks of a number of organisations, including FC Barcelona (1998-2005) and CF Valencia (2007-09), before making his Second Division debut for Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the 2008-09 season while on loan from Valencia’s B team.
Jordi Alba joined Valencia’s senior team when his loan period ended, and in September 2009, he made his La Liga debut. Before being recruited by Barcelona before the 2012–13 season, the quick defender made 110 appearances for Los Che over three seasons across all competitions, scoring six goals and dishing out eight assists.
Jordi Alba went on to become a legend for the Spanish powerhouses, appearing in 459 matches over the course of 11 seasons, which is the ninth-highest total of any player in club history. Alba also assisted Barcelona in winning six La Liga championships, a UEFA Champions League title, a FIFA Club World Cup title, seven Copa del Rey championships, and four Supercopa de Espana championships. He scored 27 goals and had 99 assists over that time. Additionally, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, head coach of Inter Miami CF, oversaw Alba for the 2013–14 season, during which time they captured the 2013 Supercopa de Espana.
The 34-year-old defender has also had a standout career for his nation’s national team. He was an important member and participated in every game of Spain’s UEFA Euro 2012 winning campaign, and most recently, he served as team captain as they won the UEFA Nations League in 2023. He has also represented his country in three FIFA World Cup competitions (2014, 2018, 2022). Alba has played 93 times for Spain in total, contributing 10 goals and 9 assists.
