Official Jordi Alba Joins Inter Miami Alongside Messi and Busquets
According to the Miami Herald, defender Jordi Alba has officially reached an agreement to join Inter Miami club, where he will reunite with former teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. This talented trio is set to make their debut on July 16 and will play their first match together on July 21.
Jordi Alba has signed a contract with Inter Miami, reportedly earning a salary of $1.6 million, a significant decrease compared to his previous earnings of up to $24 million while playing for Barcelona. The addition of Alba, Messi, and Busquets has required Inter Miami to make adjustments within their squad, parting ways with fewer players to accommodate them.
The departure of midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro was the first step taken by Inter Miami to create space for Messi as a designated player, which is one of the three players that MLS allows clubs to recruit with a salary higher than the league’s average, aiming to enhance competition. Busquets will occupy the other designated player position, while Inter Miami has managed to adjust their salary cap to incorporate Alba’s signing. 
In addition to the trio of Alba, Messi, and Busquets, Inter Miami has the potential to recruit another veteran Barcelona star, midfielder Andres Iniesta, who recently ended his contract with Vissel Kobe in Japan.
The Miami Herald reports that it remains uncertain how much additional space Inter Miami can create within their squad to pursue Iniesta after securing the signings of Alba, Messi, and Busquets.
Jordi Alba, who served as the captain of Barcelona, had played alongside Messi from 2012 until the superstar’s departure from the team in the summer of 2021.
The official launch of the Alba-Messi-Busquets trio by Inter Miami is scheduled for July 16. They will make their first appearance together in the Inter Miami jersey on July 21, in a match against Cruz Azul Club in the League Cup.
