Official: Sergio Busquets announces retirement at end of MLS season
Sergio Busquets confirms retirement at MLS season end, bringing down the curtain on his illustrious 20-year career with Barcelona and Miami.
New Delhi: Spanish World Cup winner and midfield legend Sergio Busquets has confirmed he will hang up his boots at the conclusion of the current Major League Soccer season. The 37-year-old, who currently represents Inter Miami, moved to the United States in 2023 after a nearly two-decade career at Barcelona.
Busquets made the announcement through a video on Instagram, highlighting his illustrious career, captioned with, "A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and to football, for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story.” He added, "These will be my last months on the pitch. I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all grateful.”
The former Barca player is widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in football history. His composure, vision and tactical intelligence set him apart from the rest in his position. He came up through Barcelona's youth ranks and spent around 18 years at Camp Nou, making his senior debut in 2008 before joining his Barca teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami in 2023.
Over 15 seasons he made 721 appearances, marking the third-highest in the Blaugrana’s history. With Spain also he ranks third in all-time appearances, demonstrating his consistency and longevity at the highest level.
Busquets' role at Barcelona was pivotal as he helped the Blaugrana secure nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies. His artistic play with the ability to control games from deep positions made him a cornerstone for both club and country for more than a decade. At Miami alongside his former teammates he helped the club lift their first-ever Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield in 2024.
On the international stage, Busquets has been equally impressive as he earned 143 caps for Spain and was even part of La Roja in their golden era. He played a key role in Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph and the 2012 European Championship victory, cementing his legacy as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
Legacy beyond numbers
When Busquets will step away from the sport at the end of the MLS season, he will leave behind a legacy of intelligence, composure and leadership. Over the years, he has redefined the midfield role and his numbers speaks volume about that but what sets him apart is the setting new standards for the position he has added worldwide.
As Busquets' prepares to hang up his boots, fans and teammates will remember this legend as the silent engine who dictated play, pushed others around him better and consistently delivered whenever needed. His retirement will mark the end of an era but his influence on the game will endure for ages after he steps on the pitch for the final time.