19 July 2023 , 21:24
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Former Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba will wear shirt No. 6 upon joining Inter Miami.
The club's 2023 MLS Leagues Cup roster was revealed on the internet, showing each registered player's name, shirt number, and position for the competition.
Spanish news outlets have reported that the 34-year-old defender has already signed a contract with Inter Miami and will be available to face Atlanta United on July 26. Alba previously played in La Liga for the last decade, leaving Barcelona after his contract with the club expired.
The Spanish international is the latest former Barcelona legend to sign for Inter Miami after club icons Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were revealed to team supporters during an official unveiling program produced by Apple TV called "Bienvenido Messi" on MLS Season Pass.
Alba scored 27 goals for the Spanish giants, helping them win six La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2015. His 444 appearances with the club make him the ninth-most capped player in club history.
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Messi will retain his famous No. 10 shirt with the club, while Busquets will wear No. 5, the same number he wore for Barcelona from 2014 to 2022. Before his tenure with the number, Busquets started his career at the club wearing No. 28 before switching to No. 16 from 2009 to 2013.
There are rumors that Messi and Busquets will debut in the Leagues Cup opening match against Cruz Azul. This tournament will feature all 47 first-division clubs from Canada, Mexico, and the US competing against each other. During this time, MLS and LIGA MX will take a break from their respective league seasons, from July 21 to Aug. 19. The top three teams will qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas previously predicted the signing of Alba, stating that he would officially sign before Messi's reveal. A fourth ex-Barcelona player, Luis Suarez, is rumored to join their roster.
Alba, Messi, and Busquets at Barcelona in 2020However, Mas poured water on the rumors regarding Suarez, saying, "Luis Suarez is a Gremio player. He has a contract. We understand the close relationship that he has with Lionel, Busquets, and Alba."
"They played together at Barcelona. There's been a lot of talk about Luis Suarez coming to Inter Miami. We have not held direct talks with Gremio or with Suarez."
"I do not 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."
Inter Miami has not officially signed and revealed Alba to the public, even though he already has a reserved shirt number. According to Transfermarkt, Alba is not currently a club member and has a market value of €5.00m. 2018 after winning La Liga for the fifth time, Alba was valued at the highest point in his career at €70.00m.