On Thursday the football world heard the news: Sergio Busquets is calling it a day after the 2025 MLS campaign. The 37‑year‑old Spaniard, who spent most of his life dribbling, passing and protecting the back line for Barcelona, said he’ll retire once Inter Miami’s season wraps up.
A career in a nutshell
Busquets’ story reads like a fairy‑tale for a Barcelona fan. He came through La Masia, broke into the first team in 2008 and racked up more than 700 appearances across 18 seasons. In that time he helped the club win nine LaLiga crowns, three Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Rey trophies – a haul most players can only dream of.
He wasn’t just a club hero; on the international stage he was a key piece of Spain’s golden era. Busquets featured in the side that claimed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and back‑to‑back European Championships in 2008 and 2012. Few players have lifted three of football’s biggest prizes in such a short span.
After his Barcelona chapter closed in 2023, the midfielder swapped Catalan nights for sunshine in Miami. At Inter Miami he kept showing the same composure – threading passes, breaking up play and leading by example – proving you don’t lose your touch just because you change continents.
- 9 LaLiga titles (2009‑2019)
- 3 UEFA Champions League trophies (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 7 Copa del Rey trophies
- 2010 FIFA World Cup winner
- Euro 2008 & 2012 champion
- Record 45 El Clásico appearances, 21 wins
When the announcement went public, a flood of tributes rolled in. Lionel Messi called him a “maestro” who made every game feel easier for the team. Even long‑time rival Sergio Ramos, who faced Busquets on the pitch for Real Madrid, said the Spaniard was “one of the most brilliant midfielders I ever played with”, praising his vision, class and humility.
What’s next for the Spanish maestro?
Fans are already speculating about Busquets’ post‑playing days. Coaching seems a natural next step – he’s always been praised for his tactical brain and leadership. Rumors whisper that Barcelona might bring him back in a staff role, perhaps as an assistant or even a future manager. Others think he could stay in the US, helping MLS clubs develop young talent.
Whatever path he chooses, one thing’s clear: Busquets leaves a legacy that goes beyond the silverware. He showed that a defensive midfielder can be elegant, precise and quietly powerful at the same time. As his final MLS season unfolds, supporters worldwide will be watching, not just to say goodbye, but to celebrate a career that set the bar for a generation.