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Alba claims he & Messi joined Miami at 'delicate moment' in Eastern Conference

  /  autty

Inter Miami star Jordi Alba claims he and Lionel Messi entered Major League Soccer at a 'delicate moment' for the club, with the team sitting last in the Eastern Conference.

Messi, Alba, and Sergio Busquets quickly helped turn the young franchise last summer into one of MLS' most feared, winning the inaugural Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami and made it to the final of the US Open Cup before losing to the Houston Dynamo, a game that Messi did not play in because of injury.

The next step for Inter Miami? Translating the success from cup competitions into league play.

Inter Miami did finish second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with the third-worst point total in the MLS. With massive expectations in 2024, Alba knows postseason success for him, Messi and their team is a must.

'We knew the city we were coming to,' Alba said. 'Then, apart from that, we came at a delicate moment for the team's club and winning a title with our people was also good.'

Alba officially joined Inter Miami in July, five days after the signing of Messi was made official. Busquets came to MLS the month before with rumors heavily indicating Messi's arrival.

'I don't get tired, I don't get tired of winning,' Alba continued. 'I want to keep winning, to keep competing. If I didn't have that illusion, honestly, I wouldn't have come here. I would have stayed in Barcelona. At home, without playing soccer.'

'The opportunity was very good, very attractive. I also wanted to get back together with Leo, with Busi,' Alba said. 'And now Luis has come.'

This will be the first full season Alba, who turns 35 next month, will play club football outside of Spain. He spent a dozen seasons with FC Barcelona before making the jump to America.

Alba also retired from international soccer last year, clearing the way to just focus on his life in the United States.

Inter Miami kicks off the MLS season tonight at home against Real Salt Lake.

After the team's ambitious preseason tour, Messi and Alba will be keen to get the games that matter off on the right foot.