Inter Miami midfielder Jordi Alba confirms Spain retirement, ends illustrious international career

Inter Miami midfielder Jordi Alba has called time on his international career as he hangs his boot for Spain. After days of speculations, the news was confirmed by the 34-year-old on Friday, September 1 as he waved goodbye to a successful playing career with the La Roja. Alba famously scored in the final of the Euro 2012 when Spain retained their European crown and also won the Nations League in 2022.

Alba hangs boots

"From the Spanish Football Federation, we have eternal gratitude for this brilliant path, thank you, Jordi," wrote the RFEF in a statement.

At the time of retirement, Alba won 93 caps for the national side scoring nine goals. He made his debut for Spain in 2011 when he was playing for Valencia before transferring to Barcelona. He was part of Spain’s golden generation where they won two Euros’ and a FIFA World Cup in 2010. However, he missed out on the 2010 World Cup having been left out by then boss Vicente del Bosque.

Alba’s illustrious career

With Joan Capdevila out of favour despite winning the World Cup in 2010, Alba was looked at as a readymade replacement as he had all the attributes to succeed him. Alba made his debut against Scotland on 11 October, a 3–1 win in Alicante in which his cut back from the left wing provided the assist for the opening goal, scored by former Valencia teammate David Silva.

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His performances earned merit as he stamped his authority as first-choice left-back in the team. He would nail down the possession for more than a decade during which Spain won the Euro 2012 where he scored in the 4-0 final win against Italy. He was also part of the Spain squad that finished runners-up to Brazil in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

He saw the change of guards in Spanish football when they were knocked out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the group stage while a Round of 16 exit followed at the Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup. Alba’s success story continued with Spain when he lifted the 2022 UEFA Nations League where he captained the side against Croatia. Alba’s Spain suffered a semifinal exit at the Euro 2020 at the hands of eventual winners Italy while they were eliminated in the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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