<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jordi-alba/">Jordi Alba</a> has announced his retirement, surprising fans just months after signing a contract extension with Inter Miami in May. To cover his imminent departure ahead of next season, Lionel Messi could soon welcome a new teammate, as Alba’s exit may pave the way for a former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/">Real Madrid</a> player to join the club.



In an Instagram video posted Tuesday, Alba confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the same decision his close friend and teammate Sergio Busquets made just weeks earlier. The departures of both veterans will leave <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/">Inter Miami</a> with major holes to fill heading into the 2026 campaign, which will unfold alongside the World Cup. However, the club has already begun moving to reinforce the squad.



According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter Miami are in advanced talks to sign <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/sergio-reguilon/">Sergio Reguilón</a> to fill the left-back role. The Spaniard has been a free agent since July, when his contract with Tottenham Hotspur expired. Among several offers he has received, Reguilón reportedly views the Herons as the most appealing destination.



A product of Real Madrid’s academy, Reguilón was one of Sevilla’s key players during their 2019–20 Europa League run before joining Tottenham the following season. However, his form dipped in London, leading to loan spells with Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, and Brentford. After his contract ended in June 2025, the 28-year-old left back became available on a free transfer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251007_WST_595459_sergio-reguilon-brentford-1200x675_efe0969f.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Sergio Reguilon of Brentford." class="wp-image-595495" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Sergio Reguilon of Brentford.</figcaption></figure>



In recent matches, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has relied on Noah Allen as a natural left back, giving Alba more freedom on the flank. With Alba’s exit, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Messi</a> will lose one of his most trusted partners, but Reguilón’s European experience could make him a valuable addition for the 2026 season.


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<h2>Will Reguilon be a Designated Player?</h2>



With both Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets set to depart, Lionel Messi will be Inter Miami’s only remaining Designated Player by the end of the 2025 season. That opens the door for the club to pursue more top-tier talent in the transfer market as it prepares for the 2026 campaign.



One of those DP spots is expected to be filled by Rodrigo De Paul, who recently agreed to a six-month contract before signing permanently with the club. With one slot still open, it remains to be seen whether Reguilón will claim it, though Inter Miami could choose to reserve the position for another marquee signing.

Jordi Alba’s retirement could open door for former Real Madrid to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

Jordi Alba’s retirement could open door for former Real Madrid to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami - World Soccer Talk

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While Inter Miami still have the most important stretch of the year ahead in Major League Soccer, that hasn’t stopped them from looking toward the future. A former Real Madrid and Manchester United player could be joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> as early as next season.



“Inter Miami in talks for surprise move to sign Sergio Reguilón!” reported journalist Fabrizio Romano on Friday via his official X account. “Negotiations well underway to join MLS side on free transfer after leaving Spurs in July.”



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/sergio-reguilon/">Reguilon</a> has been out of the spotlight at top-tier clubs for some time now. After a promising start to his career at Real Madrid, the left-back had short loan spells at Logroñes and Sevilla before finding a more stable spot in the Premier League.



In 2020, Tottenham Hotspur signed him in a deal that reportedly included a buy-back clause worth nearly $40 million in favor of Los Blancos. His early years in England were solid, with over 30 appearances per season. However, since 2022 he’s been on a series of short-term loans he hasn’t been able to break out of, including stints at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, and Brentford.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251003_WST_594815_reguilon-1200x675_ef843033.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-594821" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Sergio Reguilon playing for Manchester United.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>What is Reguilon’s current situation?</h2>



Having played just four matches with Tottenham during the 2024–25 season, Reguilon left the English club and became a free agent this summer. Since then, his situation has remained unclear, as he has yet to sign with another team and will likely remain inactive until at least January.


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In that context, the opportunity to join a star-studded squad featuring Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul could be quite appealing. “Reguilón, expected to accept as he sees Inter Miami as best option despite multiple proposals on the table,” Romano added.



<h2>Do Inter Miami need Reguilon?</h2>



Adding Sergio Reguilon would bring more quality and experience to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/">Inter Miami</a>’s roster. However, unlike some of their previous high-profile signings, the Spanish defender likely wouldn’t arrive as a starter.



At left-back, the Herons already have a rock-solid performer in Jordi Alba. The former Barcelona player has made 43 appearances and scored five goals this season, and he remains a key figure in head coach Javier Mascherano’s plans. To make things even more certain, Alba signed a contract extension just a few months ago that runs through December 2027.


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Given that, it’s fair to ask what role Reguilon might play if he joins. It’s unlikely he’d displace Alba in the starting lineup, and Noah Allen is already the backup in that position. One possibility is that the Herons are seriously considering pushing Alba further up the field—into a wide midfielder or winger role—something he’s done occasionally in recent games. That scenario could create space for another left-back to be added to the squad.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami reportedly after former Manchester United, Real Madrid player

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami reportedly after former Manchester United, Real Madrid player - World Soccer Talk

Manchester United anticipates left-back Luke Shaw will face a recovery period of ten weeks due to a muscle injury.



The English full-back picked up in the wake of United’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. United boss Erik ten Hag then announced he would miss a considerable amount of time.



The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12466679/Luke-Shaw-set-TEN-WEEKS-Manchester-United-left-suffering-muscular-problem-defeat-Tottenham-month.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daily Mail</a> reports that Shaw might miss up to 10 weeks of action for United. If this schedule holds, the Englishman will be out for the full months of September and October. His target return is subsequently the middle of November.



<h2>Which games will Luke Shaw miss for United with injury?</h2>



This Sunday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">United</a> play Arsenal in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. Then, on Oct. 29 United faces Manchester City in a derby. Without the defender, they will certainly struggle in both games.



With a 10-week absence, Shaw would also miss the first four rounds of the UEFA Champions League group play. The Red Devils’ <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/uefa-champions-league-group-stage-draw-brings-mega-clashes-20230831-WST-453237.html">Group A opponents</a> will be Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Copenhagen.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">❌ Mason Mount ❌ Luke Shaw ❌ Tyrell Malacia Erik ten Hag says he expects Mason Mount to be back quicker than Luke Shaw as well as Tyrell Malacia who remains sidelined for a few weeks. 🤕 <a href="https://t.co/DzXev55YyP">pic.twitter.com/DzXev55YyP</a>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1695057889784721636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Sergio Reguilon signed to replace him</h5>



Because of Shaw’s absence and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/varane-adds-to-united-injury-woes-time-on-sidelines-revealed-20230830-WST-452889.html">present injury issues</a> with backup Tyrell Malacia, United has put out a transfer tag to find a new center defender. They had first attempted to negotiate a deal for Marc Cucurella with Chelsea.



However, when that failed, they began bargaining with Tottenham Hotspur for Sergio Reguilon. Consequently, Erik ten Hag’s side have officially announced the loan signing of the Spanish player for the rest of the season.



Reguilon’s contract reportedly includes a termination provision in January, when Shaw and Malacia should have fully recovered. United had wanted this stipulation included in their offer for Cucurella. However, he would be unable to appear for three clubs in one year. Therefore, that loan deal fell through. Moreover, it opens the door for Reguilon at Old Trafford.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Paul Marriott

United discover Luke Shaw injury timeline, sign his replacement

After the loss against Tottenham, Luke Shaw was diagnosed with a muscular injury and would likely be out for a long time.

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Jordi Alba’s retirement could open door for former Real Madrid to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami reportedly after former Manchester United, Real Madrid player

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United discover Luke Shaw injury timeline, sign his replacement