By Michael Nsikan Richard – December 7th 2025
According to ESPN’s coverage, December 7, 2024, marked the end of two illustrious careers as Spanish football icons Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba hung up their boots following Inter Miami’s commanding 3-1 triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final—a historic first championship for the Florida-based club.
It was the kind of perfect farewell every athlete dreams of. Two players who had completely reshaped the trajectory of the franchise since their summer 2023 arrivals got to walk away on top.
The Final Match
When that final whistle blew at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, it wasn’t just the end of another game—it was the closing chapter of Busquets’ playing days. His final touch of the football became symbolic, an emotional full stop on an extraordinary career.
The club honored both men with commemorative plaques right there on the pitch, celebrating their instrumental roles in delivering Miami’s first league crown just 5 years after the franchise’s founding in 2020.
Lionel Messi, who set up two goals in that final, got emotional talking about it afterward. “Special because we arrived here together from the beginning, the three of us,” he said, referencing their collective move from Barcelona.
The Argentine superstar made it clear that capturing the MLS Cup had always been their collective ambition for elevating the club.
Their Miami Legacy
What Busquets and Alba accomplished in barely two and a half seasons with Inter Miami borders on the remarkable:
- They captured the Leagues Cup 2023, which became their inaugural trophy as teammates in South Florida.
- The 2024 Supporters’ Shield followed, with the team shattering MLS’s single-season points record in the process.
- And then came the 2025 MLS Cup—the franchise’s maiden league title.
Head coach Javier Mascherano, who shared the Barcelona dressing room with both men during their prime, didn’t hold back his admiration. “They could’ve easily continued because they’re playing at an incredible level. But they were well-thought-out decisions, and what better way to go out than like this?” he noted.
Alba’s Remarkable Final Season
Here’s something that really stands out: Alba walked away at 36 while still performing at an elite level. He earned a spot on the 2024 MLS Best XI after an absolutely stellar campaign—8 goals and 16 assists across 51 appearances. His playoff performances were particularly eye-catching, none more so than that audacious backheel assist during the Eastern Conference final rout of New York City FC (which Miami won 5-1).
Speaking about his decision to retire, Alba reflected with genuine contentment. “That kid who dreamed of playing in the first division has achieved all his dreams, even more than I thought. I can’t complain at all,” he shared.
He admitted his body probably had another season or two left in the tank, but emotionally and mentally, he felt completely satisfied with what he’d accomplished.
Busquets’ Distinguished Career
Busquets also stepped away at 36, closing the book on a career that produced 32 major honors. That haul includes some pretty serious silverware:
- The 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy with Spain’s national team
- Three UEFA Champions League crowns earned at Barcelona
- Numerous La Liga titles and Copa del Rey victories
When asked to sum up his journey, Busquets kept it simple and heartfelt. “I’ve done everything. I’m very privileged for the path I’ve taken, for where I’ve been, and for who I’ve been with. I’ve been very happy, I’ve enjoyed it, and now it’s on to another stage of my life,” he reflected.
That MLS Cup victory also etched Busquets, Messi, and Rodrigo de Paul into the history books as the only three players ever to win both a FIFA World Cup and an MLS Cup.
The Emotional Farewell
Alba opened up before the final about what this goodbye meant to him, and it hit differently than his Barcelona exit. “My last game with Barcelona was very emotional and exciting because I knew it was the last time I’d wear that shirt that gave me so much. But this is everything. It’s not about going from one team to another. It’s leaving soccer,” he explained.
Both men announced their retirements back in October 2024, which gave everyone, teammates, coaching staff, and supporters, time to process and prepare for the inevitable farewell.
Mascherano put their contributions in perspective afterward: “Two players have made history at this club and have completely transformed it along with Leo. Today, they are part of the great history of this club.”
Busquets and Alba leave professional football having conquered virtually every meaningful challenge the sport offers. They departed as champions, forever remembered as Inter Miami legends who played pivotal roles in transforming a young franchise into a genuine MLS powerhouse.
NEW: Inter Miami VS Vancouver Whitecaps
