Alba's decision to retire follows that of Sergio Busquets, who also announced his plans to retire at the end of the current Miami season. Busquets had joined his former Barcelona teammates in the US.

Messi spoke about Alba's retirement, stating that it was unexpected and a shame. He explained that Alba's decision was not discussed beforehand, and it came as a surprise to him and their teammates.

"The truth is, it was very strange, especially Jordi's situation, because we weren't expecting it," Messi said. "With Busi, we'd been talking about it more, and he'd already been analysing it and talking about it. But with Jordi, it was from one day to the next; we weren't expecting it."

Messi also expressed his sadness about Alba's retirement, saying that they are not only former teammates but also friends. They started their journey together at Barcelona and then joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.

As Messi's career comes to an end, he is seeing his former teammates retire around him. Alba and Messi are both in their mid-to-late 30s, and their careers are slowly drawing to a close.

Messi's words reflect the bond he shares with Alba and the other retired players. Their shared experiences and friendship make it difficult to accept their retirements.

Messi and Alba have been through a lot together, both on and off the pitch. Their friendship is a testament to the close relationships that develop between teammates who share a common goal.

As Messi looks back on his career, he is likely to cherish the memories he has made with Alba and the other retired players. Their retirements serve as a reminder that all good things must come to an end, but the memories and friendships they created will last a lifetime.

Messi's words offer a glimpse into the close relationships that exist between teammates who share a common goal. Their friendship and shared experiences make it difficult to accept their retirements, but they also se