Inside Barcelona icon's £17m mansion up for sale with two pools and a football pitch

Former Barcelona star Jordi Alba has reportedly knocked nearly £5million off the asking price of his Spanish mansion in a bid to get a quicker sale. The 36-year-old left back, who announced earlier this month he was retiring alongside Inter Miami team-mate Sergi Busquets at the end of the MLS season, is said to have put the stunning seven-bed eight-bathroom villa on the market just over a year ago for £21.7m (€25m).

It is currently being advertised "exclusively" by real estate agency Carolina Marti for a reported £17.35m (€20m) although the real estate agency has not put the price on its website. The former Spain international had the mansion, dubbed a house-boat because of its galleon shape, built just before the Covid crisis. It boasts a football pitch, a paddle tennis court, a large indoors gym, home cinema and two pools.

Alba, who left Barcelona in 2023 to start a new life in the States, used it very little before emigrating and is understood to own another property in Esplugues de Llobregat on the outskirts of the Catalan capital.

Former team-mates Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre Ter Steven both own properties in the same area. A relative of the father-of-three is said to have been keeping an eye on the place while he has been in the States.

Carolina Marti, in an online description of the property, says: "With 2,934 m² of land and 1,413 m² of floor space, a paddle tennis court, and a soccer field, this house represents the highest standard of luxury living.

"It is the only house in all of Barcelona with such features. Its south-facing orientation at the highest point of Pedralbes allows for unbeatable panoramic views of the city and the sea from every floor of the house.

"In total, the house consists of seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a living-dining room, kitchen with central island, outdoor kitchen with two built-in barbecues, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, jacuzzi, gym, additional living room, home cinema, games room, office and several outdoor recreation areas."

It adds: "Maximum privacy and security are guaranteed with a state-of-the-art security system and home automation that monitors the entire property."

Alba, married to model Romarey Ventura, announced earlier this month on social media he was hanging up his boots after making 95 appearances for Beckham's Inter Miami.

He said: "The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter of my life. I do so with complete conviction, with peace, and with happiness. I feel I've walked this path with every ounce of passion I had.

"And now it's the right moment to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling. Thank you to all the fans for your kindness, you taught me that the shirt isn't just worn, it's felt.

"Today I close this chapter knowing I've given it my all, football has been and always will be an essential part of my life. Thanks football for everything."

He will end his career as one of the most decorated players of all time with six LaLiga titles. He also won five Copa del Rey titles and the Champions League in 2014, as well as the Club World Cup in 2015.

Alba was part of the Spain side that won the Euros in 2012 and the Nations League title in 2023. He married his wife in June 2022 at a 17th-century country estate near Seville when they already had two of their three children. Guests included Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.