Unai Emery helped to change Jordi Alba's career, the retiring left-back has said(Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Jordi Alba will bow out of the game in December and has Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to thank for having such a successful career.

The Inter Miami left-back has announced he will retire when the MLS season ends this year, calling time on a trophy-laden career.

Alba is a six-time La Liga winner with Barcelona, while he also lifted the Champions League and helped Spain to win Euro 2012, making 93 caps for his country.

But he’s acknowledged that his career may not have panned out so successfully had it not been for Emery’s input.

Back when Alba was coming through the ranks at Valencia, Emery converted him to a left-back against his wishes. It was a decision that paid off hugely.

“Perhaps the key person has been Unai Emery,” the 36-year-old told Sport. “That change of position, everything he did to help me, it was the most important step in my career.

“I didn't want to play as a full-back. All my life I'd played...