Lionel Messi: Jordi Alba had been linked with a move to Inter Miami following Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets’ move there. The MLS club has now announced the former Barcelona player’s arrival with a video on their social media account. The video also indicates that the player might be assigned the No. 18 jersey at Inter Miami. The news comes just before the possible debut matches of Messi and Busquets. There has been news that Andres Iniesta could follow his former teammates to MLS as well.
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Inter Miami was actively approaching Jordi Alba for some time. Alba left Barcelona along with Sergio Busquets at the end of last season. Both walked out of Barcelona as free agents. Then Inter Miami scooped up Busquets just a few days after securing Messi. There were endless rumours that Alba was set to join his former teammates as well. However, the process seemed to be delayed, so many lost faith. However, the MLS club have put everyone at ease as they have announced Alba’s arrival through a video on their social media account.
Praising Alba and the transfer, Inter Miami Sporting Director and Soccer Director said, “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.”
Alba’s third child was born just yesterday which could have been the reason for the delay in the announcement. The news arrived with around 24 hours to go for Messi’s Inter Miami debut. Busquets and Messi are set to debut against Cruz Azul for their Leagues Cup march. As per reports, Alba was already included in their League Cup roster. However, he is yet to land in the United States and will probably join his teammates in Inter Miami’s next match which is against Atlanta United on July 26.
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However, Alba is not the last former Barcelona man Inter Miami are chasing. Reportedly, they already have a verbal agreement with Andres Iniesta. The prolific midfielder who was one of the main men in both Barcelona and Spain’s teams about a few years ago is now set to join his former teammates in Inter Miami. After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta joined Vissel Kobe in Japan. He spent the last 5 years at the club and left this July after his playing time had lessened.
At 39 years of age, in a teary goodbye to Vissel Kobe fans, Iniesta expressed his wish to still continue playing. He said, “I want to keep playing football. I feel like I am capable of still playing. But as this chapter closes, we’ll see what’s possible. I want to finish my career on the pitch playing, and this is what I’m hoping to do.” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas even said that if Luis Suarez wants to join the MLS club, they will also approach him.
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