Football

Former FC Barcelona legend Jordi Alba calls time on his international career

Alba played 93 times for Spain after making his debut in 2011 and scored 9 goals.

Sep 1, 2023 8:29 pm

International football on Friday learned of the retirement of former Spanish and Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba. The 34-year-old called time on his international career with Spain after a decade-long stint. Alba played 93 times for Spain after making his debut in 2011 and scored 9 goals. The announcement came with international football just around the corner.

Jordi Alba was one of the main players during Spain’s golden run from 2008 to 2012. The Spanish team won the Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012 as well as the World Cup in 2010. Jordi Alba also had a glittering career in the club level where he played for FC Barcelona. Alba who was known for his blistering speed playing primarily as a left back. Due to his ability to cross the ball into the box, he was also used in the left wing.

A look into Jordi Alba’s illustrious career

Jordi Alba began his international career with Spain as he made his debut in 2011 against The Czech Republic. Then aged 22, he soon became a permanent fixture on the left side of the Spanish defense. Spain already had players like Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique as well as Dani Carvajal manning the back line. Yet, Alba played 93 times for his nation and played a key role in the Euro 2012 win. Alba also scored a goal in the finals of the tournament as Spain beat Italy in a one-sided final with a 4-0 margin.

As captain, Jordi Alba had his finest moment when Spain beat Croatia in the finals of the UEFA Nations League. The match was won by Spain after the game went to penalties as the La Roja team won the game with a 5-4 aggregate to take the title. He began his club career with Valencia where he played 74 times scoring 5 goals. In 2012, with interest from some of the biggest names in Europe, FC Barcelona bought Jordi Alba for 14 million Euros.

In a career spanning nearly a dozen years at Camp Nou, he played 313 games and scored 17 goals. His time at Barcelona along with the likes of Neymar, Messi, Pique, Suarez, and Busquets earned him 6 La Liga titles along with 5 Copa Del Rey titles and two times finishing runners-up. He also went on to win the UEFA Champions League once, the Club World Cup once and Spanish Super Cup four times. His last La Liga title came last year under Xavi who was his former club and international teammate.