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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/er_primo_der_rafa on 2023-08-29 18:12:14.
The last image of Jordi Alba wearing the shirt of the Spanish national team will be lifting the Nations League trophy in Rotterdam, because Jordi Alba has decided to retire from the national team. The last Spain captain for his account in 93 matches, nine goals, Euro champion in 2012, Nations League in 2023, present at three World Cups (2014, 2018 and 2022), three Euro Cups (2012, 2016 and 2020), the 2013 Confederations and the London Games.
The decision to leave the national team was made weeks ago by Jordi Alba. The call in June, for the Final Four, surprised him. He had already decided to leave Barcelona to make way for the new generations.
He enjoyed the week in the Netherlands to the fullest, especially with the victory over Croatia on penalties. At that moment he began to reflect on whether the best thing was not to leave the national team at the top, with a title, in a moment of success, something that has not happened with any of the great legends with whom Jordi has shared the road with Spain since Del Bosque made him debut against Scotland in Alicante in October 2011.
But it was not a decision taken, just a thought. If his future had been in Europe (Inter, Benfica and Atletico Madrid knocked on his door) it is possible that the national team would not have disappeared from Jordi Alba’s radar. But he went to the United States.
When he became a player of Inter Miami, Jordi Alba understood that it was not possible to remain linked to the national team. The U.S. calendar does not stop on FIFA dates, he was the last to arrive, to continue with Spain meant missing many matches with his club, very long trips, his new family reality… It was then when he saw that the time had come to stop with Spain and leave the way free to Balde, Fran García, Gayà, Pedraza…
Weeks ago, Jordi Alba informed the Federation and the coach of his decision. Luis de la Fuente, always respecting Alba’s choice, was disappointed because it was part of his roadmap for Euro 2024. Beyond the quality in his position, the presence in the June list of players like Alba, Navas or Carvajal was considered crucial within the coaching staff to provide experience to a team in which many players had to be added to reach Jordi’s almost 100 games.
But it was a firm decision, taken and communicated weeks ago and that has nothing to do with the earthquake that the Spanish national team is experiencing today.
Jordi Alba’s history with Spain is already in the past. And legend.