MLS
Jordi Alba talks Lionel Messi, Miami and MLS targets
Inter Miami’s newest arrival said that he is excited to reunite with his former Barcelona teammate and battle for titles in MLS.
Jordi Alba has given his first press conference since signing for MLS side Inter Miami.
The Spaniard expressed joy at being reunited with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets and suggested that he could make his Inter Miami debut when they face Orlando City in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday.
Alba told reporters: “I am very happy to meet up with Leo [Messi] as well as Busi [Sergio Busquets] here at Inter Miami. We are not the only three players, there is a group of players who, in my opinion, are very good and are going to help us and we will help them.”
“We are lucky that Tata [Gerardo Martino] knows us from before,” Alba continued. “We are going to compete and take Inter Miami as high as possible.”
Alba says Messi is “a very demanding person”
Ahead of his expected debut later this week, Alba spoke about the prospect of playing alongside Messi once more. The duo won five LaLiga titles and a Champions League during their time together in Spain and Alba is confident that Messi’s competitive instinct will help propel Miami up the league.
“Leo is a very demanding person, a player who wants to win and who competes in every training session and match,” Alba said.
“It’s true that he has won a World Cup, but he will continue the same and will fight for this challenge with Inter Miami. He will to try to win everything here and that’s why all the players are here.”
Reflecting on his first few days in Miami with the team, Alba suggested the mood around the club is positive despite their lowly league position.
“I think there’s a good atmosphere and Messi feels supported and loved and that’s the most important thing... At Paris Saint-Germain he did not have a very good time, but he has recovered his joy and this is a challenge that he is very excited about,” Alba continued.
Alba wants to win it all in Miami
Now 34 years old, Alba become accustomed to winning everything in Europe with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. He was a key part of two of the finest teams ever assembled and has an enviable medal collection after more than a decade at the very top.
He arrives in Fort Lauderdale at a point when the team in underperforming in MLS, but has a real chance to pick up early silverware in the Leagues Cup. With Messi in the team they won both of their group stage fixtures to set up a Round of 32 clash with their Florida rivals, Orlando.
Alba is expected to make his debut against Orlando City on Wednesday and the Spaniard is eager to get going with his new team.
“I want to win everything with Inter Miami, everything we play,” he explained. “I am 34 years old, I have been lucky to win everything with Barcelona and almost everything with the national team, but this project excites me a lot. I come to compete, to win, to play my best.”