Like Busquets, like Alba: the last torchbearer leaves Barca

You can call it an era, dynasty or reign, whatever you like. But the fact is that it ends today.

With him.

After Gerard Pique, who ended his career in November 2022, and Sergio Busquets, who announced he'd leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, the last 'musketeer' Jordi Alba is putting an end to his Blaugrana tenure.

Alba, 34, has a contract with Barca until 2024, but an agreement has been reached for him to depart at the season's closure after 11 years at Camp Nou as a free agent.

The veteran full-back is, on the other hand, set to waive a large portion of the salary that is owed to him by the club.

A club statement on Wednesday read:

"Barcelona and Jordi Alba have reached an agreement to terminate the player's contract with the club, which was due to run until the end of the 2023-24 season.

"Barcelona would like to publicly express gratitude to Alba for his professionalism, commitment and dedication, and his ever-positive and friendly relationship with all members of the Barca family. We wish him every fortune in the future. Barca will always be a home for you, Jordi."

Sunday's fixture against Mallorca at Camp Nou will therefore be his final home match and a chance to say goodbye to the supporters.

Alba first joined Barca's academy in 1998 but left in 2005, spending time with Cornella and Valencia before returning to Camp Nou in 2012 in a transfer worth €14 million.

He has since made over 450 appearances for the club, winning six La Liga titles, five Copas del Rey and one Champions League during that time.

LA LIGA - ROUND 36

Tuesday

Celta Vigo - Girona 1-1 (1-0)

/Perez 42 - Stuani 59 pen/

Real Sociedad - Almería 1-0 (1-0)

/Kubo 45+4/

Real Valladolid - Barcelona 3-1 (2-0)

/Christensen 2 og, Larin 20 pen, Plata 75 - Lewandowski 84/

Wednesday

20.30: (4.00) Elche (3.50) Sevilla (1.92)

20.30: (1.50) Real Madrid (4.50) Rayo Vallecano (7.25)

20.30: (1.50) Villareal (4.50) Cadiz (7.25)

23.00: (2.30) Betis (3.20) Getafe (3.60)

23.00: (3.60) Espanyol (3.50) Atl.Madrid (2.15)

Thursday

20.30: (3.30) Mallorca (3.15) Valencia (2.45)

22.30: (3.05) Osasuna (3.35) Ath.Bilbao (2.50)

***odds are subject to change***