Lionel Messi has played alongside numerous talented teammates throughout his illustrious career, but there’s one player with whom he shares a unique connection, Soccernet.football reports.
According to Messi, only one player knows him “to perfection” and that player is not Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernandes, Andres Iniesta, Samuel Eto’o, Luis Suarez, Neymar Junior, or any of the most popular greats he has had the privilege of playing together with.
Rather, it is former Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba.
Last summer, Messi was reunited with Alba at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium, with the Spanish defender becoming the third Barça legend to sign with David Beckham’s franchise in the same transfer window.
During their peak years at Barcelona, Messi and Alba combined with devastating efficiency.
Messi’s ability to drift inside and spot Alba’s runs behind the right-back was a hallmark of their play. Messi’s perfectly weighted and timed passes often found Alba, who had no trouble returning the ball for Messi to score.
Alba assisted in 23 of Messi’s 672 goals for Barcelona, placing him sixth in Messi’s all-time assist rankings.
“Jordi Alba knows me to perfection,” Messi told Catalunya Radio, as per SportBible. “He knows when I will give him a no-look pass. I have a special connection with him.”
This precise and well-disguised pass is a Messi trademark, frequently seen during Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
However, not all teammates have matched Alba’s understanding of Messi’s play. For instance, Argentina’s Marcos Acuña struggled to capitalise on similar passes during the World Cup.
Since their reunion at Inter Miami, Messi and Alba have already linked up for several goals to further underline their unmatched connection on the field.
Alba recently spoke about his move to Inter Miami with CBS Sports, highlighting his desire to continue winning and competing. He also expressed excitement about reuniting with Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez.
Messi is currently unavailable for Inter Miami as he is recovering from an injury sustained during Argentina’s victorious 2024 Copa America campaign.