Written by: Holofelang Mogane
A wise man once said, “All good things must come to an end”. In the beautiful game, that saying is a true testament. As lovers of the beautiful game, we have been blessed to have seen such remarkable footballers who have graced the stage and have made it their own. Names that come to mind are Marcelo, Pepe, Toni Kroos, Felipe Melo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Andres Iniesta, to name a few. We can go on and on, and the list will be as long as your normal monthly grocery list.
However, still on celebrating footballers that have left their mark in the beautiful game, two Spanish legends have announced their retirement from professional football – Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Let us start with Jordi Alba Ramos. The 36 year old Spaniard has announced his retirement at the end of the United States of America’s Major League Soccer season. The Spanish legend’s life began on 21 March 1989 in Llobregat, Spain.
Jordi Alba’s career started at FC Barcelona as a winger, but he was released in 2005, for being “too small”. He joined Cornella, followed by Valencia. He rejoined the Catalans in 2012 after stints in Cornella, Valencia, and a loan stint at Club Gimnastics de Tarragona. His reunion with the Catalans was indeed a match made in heaven, because he played with remarkable football stars in their element, including players such as Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Victor Valdes, Sergio Busquets (another player who has announced his retirement), Dani Alves, etc. Together with the Catalans, Jordi Alba has won six Spanish LaLiga titles, four Supercopa de España titles, one UEFA Champions League title and one FIFA Club World Cup title (before the new 4 year format). After a wonderful 11 year stint that has included 313 appearances with the Catalans, Alba and FC Barcelona went their separate ways after agreeing to have his contract terminated a year earlier than anticipated.
Currently, Alba is playing for Inter Miami after joining the American side in 2023 on a one year deal with an option to extend to another year. He made his debut on 03 August 2023 as he came off the bench in his side’s 3-1 win over Orlando City. After scoring his 1st goal on 15 August 2023, he won his 1st Leagues Cup when Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC by penalties.
Let us not forget a remarkable international career he has had with the Spain national team. Jordi Alba represented the Spain U19 side at the 2008 UEFA European Championships, the 2009 Mediterranean Cup and the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup that was staged in Egypt. After a successful stint, he received his 1st national call up for the senior La Roja side on 30 September 2011 in the UEFA Euro qualifiers, and was also involved in the 2012 London Olympic Games for the U23 side. He joined former manager, Vincente del Bosque, in the 2012 UEFA Euro in Poland, where La Roja successfully retained the European Championship after their 2008 triumph, on top of the national also coming off a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup triumph in South Africa, where La Roja won their 1st ever World Cup title.
He won a silver medal with Spain in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, before joining the national side in 2014 for the FIFA World Cup in South America. He has also featured in the 2016 UEFA Euro, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2020 UEFA Euro, as well as the inaugural UEFA Nations League, where they won the 2023 edition. After a remarkable stint for his country, he announced his retirement from international duty on 29 August 2023, having played 93 matches for La Roja, and scoring 9 goals.
Alba has also won personal accolades, which include the Spanish LaLiga Team of the Season in 2014/15, UEFA Euro Team of the tournament in 2012, the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season in 2014/15, UCL top assist provider in 2018/19, a 2x MLS All-Star, and Inter Miami’s Defensive Player of the Season last year.
Now we go to another Spanish great, Sergio Busquets.
A defensive midfielder that has done his work quietly…a footballer that says less, but performs out of his boots. A true footballer that has been the backbone of FC Barcelona and Spain’s success. This Spanish maestro was born on 16 July 1988 in Sabadell, Spain.
His life started and, in a way, ended at Barcelona, as he played for the B-Team of FC Barcelona in 2007. After just a single season, he gained promotion to the A-team in 2008, and has never looked back. He won the Spanish LaLiga’s Breakthrough Player in 2009. He has been a 1st team regular for the Catalans, having made a total of 700 appearances for the club, winning 32 trophies, including nine Spanish LaLiga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, seven Supercopa de España titles, and three UEFA Champions League titles. He has been managed by remarkable managers during his time in FC Barcelona, including Josep (Pep) Guardiola, Ernesto Valverde, Luis Enrique, etc., and has been a part of a remarkable midfield trio alongside Andreas Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
After 700 appearances, Sergio Busquets made a gut-wrenching announcement that he will leave the Catalans on 10 May 2023. He joined his former FC Barcelona teammates (Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Lionel Messi) in Inter Miami on 23 June 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the American side. He was also a part of the Inter Miami side that won the 2023 Leagues Cup after defeating Nashville SC.
Of course we should not forget his achievements for his nation, Spain. He earned his 1st cap for the Spain U21 side that were competing in the UEFA Euro U21 Championships qualifications playoffs against Switzerland.
On 11 February 2009, he received his 1st call-up for the senior La Roja side in a friendly against England. He was a part of the team that finished 3rd in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. He also joined Vincente del Bosque’s side that reigned supreme in the southern tip of the continent, having won the 2010 FIFA World Cup title in dramatic fashion.
He also featured in the La Roja side that also reigned supreme in the 2012 UEFA Euro Championships in Poland, followed by the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup (where they finished 2nd), 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He received the captain’s armband for the 1st time in his international career on 07 October 2020, and also featured in Luis Enrique’s 2020 UEFA Euro side. All in all, Sergio Busquets announced his retirement from international football after 143 appearances over a 14 year period.
In conclusion, we are celebrating footballers that made football look so easy, from Sergio Busquets’ dirty work in the middle of the park, to the strength of Jordi Alba in the fullback position. They were a part of the golden generation for both their clubs (FC Barcelona), but most certainly for their country, Spain. Their hard work, dedication, hunger, and passion for the beautiful game make them two of the most celebrated footballers we have ever witnessed on the football pitch. Their retirement from professional football at the end of the MLS season, they have received praise from their former players, coaches, legends, and the fans from all over the world.
“Felicitaciones por una Carrera extraordinera, Jordi Alba y Sergio Busquets”.
Sus respectivas trayectorias y sus contribuciones tanto para el club como para la seleccion no pasan desapercibidas. Gracias por su notable dedication al futbal, y les deseamos todo lo major en sus futuros caminos.
(Congratulations on your respective careers, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Your respective careers and your contributions for both club and country do not go unnoticed. Thank you for your remarkable contributions to the beautiful game, and we wish you all the best in your respective futures.)
Muchas Gracias Jordi Alba y Sergio Busquets.
Thank you Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
