Sad news for Messi on the day Inter Miami won the MLS Cup

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba officially retired after Inter Miami clinched the MLS Cup, leaving Lionel Messi deeply saddened as his two closest teammates concluded their playing days.

Inter Miami secured the MLS Cup title after a 3-1 victory over Vancouver, but the joy quickly faded when Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba confirmed that they had played their final professional matches. This marked a sad milestone for Lionel Messi, as his two most trusted teammates—icons who had been with him for over a decade at Barcelona—officially said goodbye to the pitch.

Jordi Alba ended his career with over 700 appearances across all competitions, including 457 matches for Barcelona, where he became one of the finest left-backs of his generation. At Inter Miami, Alba no longer possessed the blistering speed of his prime, but his experience, tactical awareness, and chemistry with Messi remained crucial to the team's attacking style.

Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets—the “brain” of the midfield—also retired after more than 800 professional games, including 722 for Barcelona. Busquets’ influence went beyond statistics: he controlled the tempo, served as a tactical anchor, and was the teammate who understood Messi better than anyone else. Both Busquets and Alba announced their retirement plans mid-season, and now they close a glorious chapter with a well-deserved title.

In the final, Lionel Messi once again shone as the brightest star. His precise cross hit the post before Tadeo Allende tapped in to open the scoring for Miami. Vancouver fought back fiercely, but Messi immediately responded by stealing the ball and delivering a brilliant assist for Rodrigo De Paul to make it 2-1. Late in the game, another Messi pass set up the decisive 3-1 goal, concluding a magical journey.

The MLS Cup championship marked Messi’s third title with Miami but also ushered in a new era filled with change. With Busquets and Alba officially retiring, Messi lost two of his closest friends and most harmonious partners. For him, this is not just a farewell in football but the closing of one of the most beautiful chapters in his legendary career.

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