Lionel Messi makes his debut against Inter Miami on Friday, Jordi Alba prepares to sign – Jorge Mas

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said he is set to confirm the signing of Jordi Alba, while Lionel Messi will make his Major League Soccer debut on Friday.

Alba is currently a free agent after leaving Barcelona this summer after more than a decade with the club.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but Mas said he was ready to link up with former Barcelona teammate Messi.

“Jordi Alba will sign today. He will sign today,” Maas told reporters on Tuesday.

Messi took part in his first training session in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, alongside his former Barcelona teammate and new teammate Sergio Busquets.

Messi and Busquets lead the way during Inter Miami training (Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

He was photographed smiling as he took part in a series of rehearsals in front of a watching media crowd.

The World Cup winner, who signed a two-year contract with the option to stay in 2026, is set to make his debut in the League Cup – a new competition in which every team in MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX participates – against Cruz Azul.

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Mas acknowledged that Inter Miami could make a move for former Barcelona star Luis Suarez but said no talks had taken place yet.

Suarez’s current deal with Gremio runs until 2024.

“Luis Suarez is a Gremio player,” said Maas. “He has a contract. We understand his close relationship with Lionel, Busquets and Alba. They played together at Barcelona. There has been a lot of talk about Luis Suarez coming to Inter Miami. We haven’t had direct talks with Gremio or with Suarez.

“I don’t know how Luis Suarez can leave Gremio. But if he does, we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility will be there.”

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(Photo: Getty Images)