Inter Miami have earned an unofficial label of being a retirement home for FC Barcelona’s greatest and best players, and the proof is hard to ignore.
The Herons shook the soccer world in 2023 after signing Lionel Messi, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets joining their former Barcelona teammate as Luis Suarez joined the party six months later in 2024.
With former defender Javier Mascherano this year being announced as head coach and Inter Miami linked with ex-Barcelona star Marc Bartra, the ties between the Catalan giants and the Florida franchise only look set to grow as time passes on.
And Alba has now been speaking about how he feels playing with Messi again at Inter Miami after two years separated from each other due to the forward’s forced exit from Barcelona in 2021.
Alba ‘really happy’ to be playing with Messi at Inter Miami
Speaking to the Athletic, the former Spanish international shared how much joy he now has in playing soccer because of Messi, a comment that manager Mascherano will love to hear heading into the new MLS season.
Alba was one of Inter Miami’s best players last year as the 35-year-old defender displayed why he is still regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the world, and the former Barcelona star is enjoying his time at Chase Stadium with Messi.
Alba said when asked about Messi: “I’ve had the good fortune to know Leo for a long time, we understand each other perfectly. On the pitch, just by exchanging a look, we know what the other will do. I’m really happy to be back playing together.
“Other teams try everything they can to stop Leo, in the end, stopping him is difficult. But they show a lot of respect to him, to all of us. For them, it’s also a privilege to be able to play against Leo. It’s not every day you get to share a pitch with the best player in history.”
READ MORE: Inside the life of Jordi Alba, the former Barcelona man who is taking the MLS by storm
What else has Alba said about Messi since joining Inter Miami?
Alba has been one of Messi’s teammates throughout his legendary career, with the pair winning virtually every trophy there is out there during their time together at Barcelona alongside Busquets, Mascherano and Suarez.
And the defender has not been afraid to share his love for the Argentine international since joining MLS, with Alba backing Messi to win ‘all the awards’ at Inter Miami having last year been named league MVP.
Indeed, Alba has more than shown his quality for Inter Miami since arriving alongside Messi, and the duo will want ti make history next season with the Herons with former teammate Mascherano now at the helm.