Inter Miami made the move official through a social media announcement, confirming that Sergio Reguilon, the Spanish left back and former Real Madrid player, is a new member of the squad. Reguilon arrives with valuable experience across multiple European leagues and clubs, adding depth, pedigree, and proven quality as Inter Miami continue to build toward sustained success.

In their official announcement, Inter Miami confirmed that Reguilon signed a contract through December 2027, with an extension option that runs until December 2028. The Spanish left back also delivered his first comments as an official player of the club, fully aware of the responsibility that comes with replacing Jordi Alba.

“It’s a very ambitious project, a winning club that is doing things the right way, and that’s what attracted me: coming here to keep winning and competing,” Reguilon said. “My objective is to keep winning, go after the trophies we’re missing, and win everything here.”

Reguilon’s journey

Reguilon’s professional path began in Real Madrid‘s youth academy, which he joined at the age of nine and progressed through every level of the system. After a developmental loan spell with UD Logrones between 2015 and 2017 in Segunda Division B, he returned to feature for Real Madrid Castilla.

His first-team debut came in October 2018, and during the 2018–2019 season he delivered solid performances while being part of the squad that won the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite that positive run, the club opted to send him out on loan, a decision that would significantly shape his career.

The turning point arrived during his loan with Sevilla FC in the 2019–2020 season. Under Julen Lopetegui, Reguilon enjoyed a breakout campaign, establishing himself as one of the top left backs in La Liga and helping Sevilla capture the UEFA Europa League title. Those performances earned him a move to England and also led to his debut with Spain national team in 2020.

Later that year, Tottenham Hotspur secured his signing, marking his arrival in the Premier League. While he initially played an important role in London, his career then included multiple loan spells, featuring with Atletico Madrid in 2022–2023, followed by short stints at Manchester United and Brentford FC during the 2023–2024 season. Now, he takes on a major challenge in the next stage of his career, sharing the field with Lionel Messi and helping Inter Miami continue competing for trophies.

After the match, Messi, upon receiving the award for the best player, was asked about what the title meant to him in light of the retirements of Busquets and Alba. “It’s a lot of happiness, it was one of our goals. We managed to win the Leagues Cup and had a great year. The team worked tremendously hard and delivered all season. I’m happy for what we achieved, for them, ending their careers this way is beautiful, well-deserved. Today closes a very special chapter, and I wish them the best, two friends I care about deeply.”

A long journey, a career spanning many years, and two shared clubs for these three legends, Messi, Alba, and Busquets, has come to an end. And what better way to close it out than by winning a championship in their final competition together. Each played a crucial role in the team’s success.

Messi led Miami throughout the season, and in the final he delivered once again, providing two key assists that sealed the victory, the first to Rodrigo De Paul for the 2-1 lead, and in the closing minutes, a brilliant assist to Tadeo Allende to crown Inter Miami champions.

How many titles did Messi, Alba, and Busquets win together?

The legendary partnership of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba resulted in a total of 19 official titles won while playing together. The vast majority of this trophy haul came at FC Barcelona, where they played together from 2012 to 2021. This period included the club’s second treble in the 2014/2015 season, highlighted by the UEFA Champions League, marking one of the most golden eras in modern soccer history.

Of the 19 trophies, 16 were lifted at Camp Nou, demonstrating near-total dominance in Spanish soccer. During this time, the trio formed the core of a team that won five La Liga titles and five Copa del Rey trophies, in addition to the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Their connection, particularly between Alba and Messi on the left flank, was a constant source of assists and goals.

After leaving Barcelona, the iconic trio added three final titles with Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. In a short period in the United States, they won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and capped their time at the club with the MLS Cup, reaching a total of 19 titles together. This group of players will undoubtedly remain in soccer history.

The player in question is Jordi Alba, who was fined by MLS for violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent during the Conference Final against New York City FC at Chase Stadium.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent in the 22nd minute of Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on November 29th,” the official MLS website announced in a statement.

To provide immediate relief to Inter Miami fans, the fine imposed on Jordi Alba is solely monetary, meaning his availability for Saturday’s grand final is not at risk, where the Herons will search for their first MLS Cup title in franchise history.

Jordi Alba’s major impact this season

Despite having announced his professional retirement for the end of this season, the Spanish defender has been a decisive player for Inter Miami since his arrival, standing out as one of the team’s best players throughout 2025.

During the current season, the left-back has tallied 51 matches across all competitions, recording eight goals and 16 assists. The match against the Whitecaps will be the final professional appearance for the Spanish star, leaving a huge legacy in soccer history.

The historic left-back announced in early October that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current MLS season, making Inter Miami his final professional club.

Alba has been a foundational piece for Inter Miami since his arrival, and he was one of the most outstanding players this current season. In a total of 51 matches across all competitions, the Spaniard recorded eight goals and 16 assists, making his decision to retire somewhat surprising given that he clearly still possesses the quality to play professionally.

Amid this pending departure, Inter Miami are reportedly interested in Kai Wagner as a potential replacement for the Spaniard next season, according to Sky Sports‘ Patrick Berger. The German left-back is coming off a great season with Philadelphia Union, where they won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. Wagner played 38 official matches, scoring two goals and providing 10 assists.

Wagner is widely considered one of the best left-backs in MLS, having registered 201 league matches, scoring seven goals and tallying 46 assists since his arrival in Philadelphia in 2019.

Sergio Reguilon was also an option

Former Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon was one of the first players targeted by Inter Miami mid-season for a possible 2026 acquisition. Fabrizio Romano reported in early October that the Herons had initiated conversations with Reguilon’s camp about acquiring his services.

Reports indicated that the former Tottenham defender had rejected higher-salary offers from other clubs to move to MLS and play alongside Messi. However, no official announcement was made, and with the recent emergence of Wagner as a target, it appears Reguilon may no longer be in the running for a spot at Inter Miami.

The Spanish defender has been one of Messi’s greatest partners on the pitch throughout the Argentine’s career. In fact, Alba is the fourth player who has played the most games alongside Messi, and it is this deep familiarity that leads him to believe no other player rivals him.

“I think he is a great player [Yamal],” Alba said of Yamal during an interview with El Larguero. “But there are others at Barca, like Pedri, Gavi, [Frenkie] de Jong. And I’m leaving many out. I think comparing him with Leo… there is no comparison, but that is because Leo has no rival.

“We know what Leo is like, his desire to win and how he infects the rest of the team. He looks very happy here [in Miami], and that’s why he signed that contract extension. He will be here as long as he wants. He continues to make the difference. It is a privilege to have come here to continue sharing a career with him and the others,” the Spanish star added about Messi’s impact at Inter Miami.

Alba decided to join Inter Miami following the Argentine’s arrival at the club, reuniting them after their successful tenure at Barcelona. Although the Spaniard has announced he will retire at the end of the season, Inter Miami are still fighting for the MLS Cup, where they must play the semifinals against FC Cincinnati on Sunday, November 23rd.

Messi’s pending Barcelona farewell

Jordi Alba admitted that Messi’s sudden departure from Barcelona came as a surprise and was a hard blow to the entire squad. Because the Argentine left the Spanish club during the COVID-19 pandemic, he never received a farewell match or homage in front of the fans—something Alba hopes Messi can obtain in the future.

“For me, it was very upsetting to see him leave overnight. That farewell was not the ideal one for him. I am confident that homage will be paid, and it will be a great celebration. I found out about it through the press, and it was a tough blow for everyone,” he expressed.

Regarding the star’s recent visit to Camp Nou, which caused a stir in Spain, Alba commented: “It’s normal that Leo has the keys to the stadium. He is the best player in history. His departure was not the best, or the one he would have liked, but he will have his tribute one way or another.”

However, Alba dismissed the idea of adding “Lionel Messi” to the name of the renovated Camp Nou Stadium. “I don’t think Leo would want that. Camp Nou is fine. But everything that is done around Leo is positive for all Culé fans. So it is welcome,” he said.

Busquets was the first to announce in September that he would retire from professional soccer at the end of this season, followed by Alba’s announcement in early October. Messi admitted it is difficult to watch the players who have been beside him throughout his entire career hang up their boots, noting that it serves as a stark personal reminder.

“Honestly, it’s difficult [to see them retire]. First, because you realize you’ve dedicated your entire professional life to soccer, that the people around you are starting to leave, and you realize that your own moment will also come soon,” the Inter Miami captain stated.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized the emotional connection he will lose. “And second, because we were always in harmony inside and outside the field and shared so much, even with our families. So it’s a loss of friends, inside and outside the field,” he added.

Saying goodbye to his long-time partners is not easy for Messi, considering they are the players he has played with most frequently. According to Transfermarkt data, Busquets leads that ranking, having played 646 games alongside Messi, while Alba is currently fourth, having played 416 matches with the Argentine.

The top five is rounded out by Gerard Pique (506 games), Andres Iniesta (489 games), and Javier Mascherano (414 games)—who is now his coach at Inter Miami.

The final objective with Busquets and Alba

Despite only joining Inter Miami two years ago, Lionel Messi has already captured the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. This leaves the MLS Cup as the primary objective for the team this year, and it would mark the final professional tournament for both Busquets and Alba.

“Hopefully, we can win the MLS Cup because it would be beautiful for the club to achieve it,” Messi told Romano. “That would help this entire growth process that has happened in recent years. Winning an important title for the club would be spectacular for the entire locker room, and at a personal level, winning a title here would be something extraordinary”.

“Inter Miami CF announced today that it has signed Academy product David Ruiz to a contract extension through the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with an option for the Club to extend the contract for 2029,” the club said in an official statement.

The 21-year-old Honduran midfielder is in his third season with Inter Miami after joining as a Homegrown Player in 2023. Ruiz played an important role under Gerardo “Tata” Martino in the team’s 2023 Leagues Cup triumph, and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

This year has been more challenging. Injuries and fitness issues have limited Ruiz to just seven appearances, and he has now been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to correct a persistent muscle injury that has troubled him throughout the year.

What’s next for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami have one game left in the regular season, a road matchup against Nashville SC, before turning their focus to the MLS Cup Playoffs. The club has already locked in its postseason spot and will aim to improve on last year’s first-round elimination to Atlanta United.

Led by Lionel Messi, the Herons currently sit third in the Eastern Conference with 62 points, tied with FC Cincinnati. The Supporters’ Shield, however, is already out of reach after Philadelphia Union clinched the title earlier this month.

Messi continues to shine in his second MLS campaign, leading the Golden Boot race with 26 goals, two ahead of Denis Bouanga. The Argentine legend is also in strong contention for MLS MVP, with a chance to become the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

The Argentine and the Spaniard formed a formidable partnership during their time together at Barcelona, where Alba assisted Messi countless times down the left flank. Now together at Inter Miami, the connection between the two has continued — and still works just like in the old days.

“Thank you, Jordi. I’m going to miss you so much. After everything we’ve been through together, it’s going to feel strange to look to my left and not see you there… It’s crazy how many assists you’ve given me over the years… Who’s going to give me those back passes now???” Messi wrote on Alba’s Instagram post.

According to statistics site Transfermarkt, Messi and Alba have played a total of 413 matches together during their time at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami. Over that span, the Argentine scored 33 goals assisted by the Spanish full-back, while Alba netted 15 goals assisted by Messi.

Jordi Alba on his connection with Messi

The partnership between Messi and Alba at Barcelona is arguably one of the best ever seen between a forward and a defender in soccer. The two constantly looked for each other on the field, and even though opponents knew what was coming, they were rarely able to stop them.

Years ago, while still playing for Barcelona, Jordi Alba spoke with El Día Después on Movistar+ and explained that his connection with Messi wasn’t something they practiced — it came naturally.

“We didn’t work on it. Both Leo and I look for each other a lot. If I pass him the ball, I know he’ll create danger or score, so I always try to find him. Even though opponents know us better every day, now I also try to pass to other teammates. It’s not something rehearsed. It just happens,” Alba said at the time.

It’s longtime left-back and former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, who announced in a video shared on his social media that he will retire from professional soccer at the end of the year.

“This has been a thoughtful decision I’ve considered for a long time. I feel it’s the right moment to begin a new personal chapter and fully enjoy time with my family after so many demanding years in professional football,” Alba said via Inter Miami’s official website.

“I’m very happy with my time at Inter Miami and truly grateful for the support of the fans and for having been part of the team’s successes, sharing special moments in the club’s growth. Now my goal is to finish the season in the best possible way, giving my all in the playoffs,” he added.

Inter Miami will be Alba’s final club, having joined in 2023 as part of the team’s high-profile project alongside his former Barcelona teammates Messi, Busquets, and Luis Suarez. The Spanish defender has so far recorded 14 goals and 38 assists with the Herons, playing a key role in winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

Jordi Alba’s career numbers

Over the course of his professional career, Jordi Alba played more than 700 matches, scoring 51 goals and providing 135 assists. With the Spanish national team, he added 93 appearances, contributing 10 goals and 22 assists.

In total, Alba won 22 major titles across club and international competitions. His most notable achievements include the UEFA Euro 2012, the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, the 2023 UEFA Nations League, and the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.

Although coach Javier Mascherano claimed to know nothing about the sanction, MLS announced that Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be suspended for one game after skipping the All-Star game. This means they will be absent against FC Cincinnati. These two absences add to those of Oscar Ustari, Ian Fray, and Maximiliano Falcon, greatly complicating the outlook for Inter Miami.

Following the absence of both stars, MLS commissioner Don Garber spoke about the issue on Wednesday 23th July, clarifying several points. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t…We would have loved to have Leo (Messi) here. We’d love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. We’ll have to manage through what Miami is going to say about that.”

With Messi and Alba ruled out, Inter Miami face major test against FC Cincinnati

Inter Miami boast a stellar roster and currently ride a wave of excellent form, yet FC Cincinnati consistently present one of the toughest challenges for Javier Mascherano’s squad. In the past five encounters, Lionel Messi’s team has secured victory only once, underscoring Cincinnati’s formidable presence. With absences such as the Argentine icon and Jordi Alba, the upcoming match could prove even more daunting.

In their most recent clash, FC Cincinnati delivered a commanding 3-0 triumph, despite Messi and Alba being present on the field. Additionally, head coach Mascherano disclosed that Noah Allen, typically Alba’s replacement at left back, remains in recovery from injury. Although he may be available on the bench, an unexpected suspension might compel him to start, even if he is not fully fit.

Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright speaks out on Messi and Alba’s controversial sanction

After the sanction against Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba was announced, Inter Miami player Yannick Bright spoke about the matter, making his perspective very clear. “This is my first year and a half in the MLS and I have never seen this… I don’t think it is a good idea to put in the middle of the season (the All-Star game) especially for us that we have had 7 games in the past month and we’re gonna have more next month. I don’t think it is useful at all. I do not like it.”

According to recent reports, both Messi and Alba have decided not to travel to Texas, confirming their absence from this major event organized by the league.

The news was confirmed by journalist Jose Armando Rodriguez, who, through his official X (formerly Twitter) account, reported this important decision made by two of the biggest stars for the Herons in MLS.

“Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have not traveled to Austin, Texas for the All-Star Game. They will miss tonight’s match. The decision regarding their availability for the match against Cincinnati is still pending. Efforts continued until this morning.” the reporter stated.

Could Messi and Alba’s absence be penalized?

Just when many thought they would see every star called up for such a major event, Messi and Alba will not be there, which could eventually result in penalties from MLS.

According to league rules, any player who fails to attend the All-Star Game without a medical excuse or valid justification must serve a penalty in the form of a league match. This is something that, eventually, Inter Miami’s stars will have to face.

A major headache lies ahead for Javier Mascherano, as the next official regular-season match is against FC Cincinnati, leaders of the Eastern Conference.

When and where will the 2025 MLS All-Star Game take place?

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game, featuring the MLS All-Stars against the Liga MX All-Stars, is taking place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. This highly anticipated annual event brings together the top talents from both North American leagues for a thrilling showcase of skill and competition in the heart of Texas.