When will former Barcelona star Jordi Alba team back up with Lionel Messi for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami’s fortunes have turned around considerably since the arrival of Argentina star Lionel Messi, who has scored three goals in his first two matches for the team in the Leagues Cup. And there is more good news on the way for head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who will soon be able to call upon Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, who has also signed for the MLS team.

The left-back’s career in the United States hasn’t yet got underway due to family issues, although it was revealed on Wednesday that the Spaniard will arrive in Miami on Friday and begin training with the team shortly after.

Ex-Barça trio hope to replicate success in Miami

Alba will, of course, be reunited with Messi - the pair enjoyed an almost telepathic relationship on the field - and Sergio Busquets, with whom he won a plethora of trophies at Camp Nou. The trio will be hoping to replicate their success in American soccer, with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner the centrepiece to The Herons’ ambitious project.

Which team will Alba face on his Inter Miami debut?

While Alba didn’t feature against either Cruz Azul or Atlanta United, he did sign for the club before the start of the Leagues Cup and is registered to play in the tournament, so his debut is expected to take place in the round of 32.

Inter Miami don’t yet know who they will be facing on Wednesday 2 August, although they do know that it will be one of Orlando City, Houston Dynamo and Liga MX club Santos Laguna, who are battling one another to qualify from group South 2. As has been the case for each of their Leagues Cup matches so far, the Herons next game in the competition will also be played at DRV PNK Stadium due to the fact that they have won their group.