Inter Miamiand leftback Jordi Alba have agreed to a contract extension through 2027, the club announced Thursday. Alba, 36, has been an instrumental figure of theLionel Messiera inMajor League Soccer. The former Barcelona star joined longtime teammates Messi and Sergio Busquets with Inter Miami in July 2023. The team also features fellow Barcelona standouts Luis Suarez andJavier Mascherano, who is Miami's new coach. "I'm happy to renew my contract because I have the desire to continue competing, and because of how I feel at the Club, with the affection I receive from fans at every match. I've been very comfortable these past two years at the Club, and I feel very loved by all the fans," Alba said ina statement Thursday. "We have that desire to continue competing, to continue winning, and, hopefully, win as many titles as possible." Alba helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup tournament in 2023 and theMLS Supporters' Shieldwitha record-setting season(74 points) in 2024. He scored eight goals with 20 assists in 68 appearances across all competitions for Inter Miami. He helped Spain win the UEFA Euros in 2012, and the UEFA Nations League championship in 2023. He also helped Barcelona win LaLiga six times, the UEFA Champions League once, a FIFA Club World Cup title, and the Copa del Rey seven times. This is Alba's second contract extension with Inter Miami. Could his new deal indicate other contract extensions are on the horizon? Messi, 37, is signed with Inter Miami through 2025, while co-owner Jorge Mas hasexpressed significant interest in re-signingthe Argentine World Cup champion at least through the 2026 season when the club will open its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park. Suarez – a 38-year-old Uruguayan standout and one of the best goal scorers in the sport's history – was an MLS MVP finalist during his first MLS season last year. He agreed in December toa contract extension through the 2025 season. Busquets, 36, is a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain and is considered one of the best midfielders to play soccer. He was also an MLS All-Star in 2024. He's still playing under his first MLS contract through 2025. Inter Miami is fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference with 22 points aftera 3-3 draw on the roadWednesday against theSan Jose Earthquakes. They trailFC Cincinnati(28), thePhiladelphia Union(26), theColumbus Crew(26) andNashville SC(23) in the standings. Inter Miami returns to action with MLS Sunday Night Soccer, hosting in-state rivalOrlando City– sixth in the East with 21 points – Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Inter Miami re-signs Jordi Alba. Could new Messi contract be next?
