Sergio Busquets Announces Retirement, Messi and Legends Pay Tribute
On Thursday, Sergio Busquets confirmed that the 2025 Major League Soccer season will be his final campaign, ending a career that spanned almost twenty years at the highest level. The former Barcelona and Spain captain, now wearing the Inter Miami badge, announced his plan to hang up his boots at the age of 37, sparking a wave of emotion across the footballing world.
Tributes from the football world
It didn’t take long for the news to travel from Miami to Barcelona, Madrid and beyond. Lionel Messi was the first to react, posting a photo of the two legends side by side and writing that Busquets was the quiet engine that made his own brilliance possible. "Without Busi in front of me, many of our moments would have been different," Messi wrote, highlighting the Spanish midfielder’s knack for creating space and dictating tempo.
Former Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio Ramos followed with a glowing tribute that captured the rivalry‑turned‑friendship they shared on the international stage. “Busi, you are the definition of how to be exceptional while remaining an ordinary guy,” Ramos tweeted, pointing out Busquets’ humility despite his numerous accolades. He added that the Spanish camp had been richer for having such a tactically astute teammate.
Other icons such as Xavi Hernández, Pep Guardiola and former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman weighed in, each noting the unique blend of intelligence, composure and work‑rate that set Busquets apart. Even rivals from the Premier League, like Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, praised the Spaniard for redefining the deep‑lying playmaker role.
Legacy and impact
Born in Sabadell, Catalonia, Busquets rose through La Masia, Barcelona’s famed academy, and made his senior debut in 2008. Over the next 18 seasons he amassed more than 700 appearances for the club, a tally that places him among the most-capped players in Barça history. During that time he collected nine LaLiga crowns, three UEFA Champions League trophies, seven Copa del Rey titles and countless other honours.
His trophy haul reflects a period of unprecedented dominance for Barcelona, yet Busquets’ contribution went beyond the silverware. As the fulcrum of Pep Guardiola’s midfield, he provided the stability that allowed forwards like Messi and David Villa to flourish. His ability to read the game, intercept passes and start attacks with a single pass made him the engine room of a side that prized possession and positional play.
On the international stage, Busquets was a pillar of Spain’s “golden generation.” He featured in the squads that lifted the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In every tournament he acted as the silent guardian, often shadowing the opposition’s most creative players while distributing the ball with precision.
Beyond the medals, Busquets reshaped how coaches view the defensive midfield position. Traditionally a role focused on breaking up play, he demonstrated that a midfielder can be both a destroyer and a creator. His composure under pressure, capacity to hold the ball in tight spaces and knack for opening lanes for teammates inspired a new breed of deep‑lying playmakers, from Rodri in Manchester City to Declan Rice in Arsenal.
- LaLiga titles: 9 (2008‑09 to 2022‑23)
- UEFA Champions League titles: 3 (2008‑09, 2010‑11, 2014‑15)
- Copa del Rey trophies: 7
- FIFA World Cup: 1 (2010)
- UEFA European Championships: 2 (2008, 2012)
- Inter Miami caps: 45 (as of mid‑2025)
His move to Inter Miami in 2023 was seen as a landmark for Major League Soccer, signalling the league’s growing ability to attract elite talent. Alongside fellow Spanish star Jordi Alba, Busquets helped raise the profile of the competition, drawing more eyes to a market that previously struggled to retain top‑flight players.
Off the pitch, Busquets is known for his low‑key lifestyle and charitable work. He has supported youth initiatives in Catalonia and contributed to fundraisers for disaster relief in Spain, often steering clear of the spotlight that surrounds most football superstars.
Fans and pundits alike agree that the Sergio Busquets retirement marks the end of an era not just for Barcelona but for football itself. He leaves a legacy of humility paired with relentless professionalism, a template for aspiring midfielders worldwide.
As the 2025 MLS season winds down, the soccer community will watch Busquets' final appearances with a mixture of admiration and melancholy. Whether he chooses to stay involved in the sport as a coach, a pundit or a mentor, his influence is already etched into the fabric of modern football.
