Sergio Busquets, the midfield maestro who epitomized an era for both FC Barcelona and Spain, is about to end his illustrious professional football career. The Spaniard, at 37 years of age, has strongly implied in recent weeks that he is approaching the end of his playing career, stating to reporters in the United States that he feels “closer to finishing than continuing.” Busquets, who is currently playing with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, has not specified an exact retirement date but has indicated his desire to conclude his remarkable career appropriately.
His expected departure will not only mark the end of one of football’s most quietly brilliant careers but will also leave behind a void in the sport that few can fill, given his unique style, tactical intelligence, and consistency across nearly two decades at the highest level.
Born in Sabadell, Catalonia, in 1988, Busquets rose through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before making his senior debut in 2008 under Pep Guardiola. At a time when the club was transforming into one of the greatest sides the game has ever seen, he quickly established himself as a key piece of the puzzle. What set Busquets apart was not flashy dribbling or spectacular goals but rather his unmatched ability to control space, read the flow of the game, and orchestrate play from deep midfield.
By the age of 21, he was already a regular starter, trusted in high-stakes matches, and soon became indispensable to Barcelona’s possession-based “tiki-taka” style. Over the years, he would go on to win 31 trophies with the club, including nine La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and seven Copa del Rey crowns.
His contributions extended far beyond club football. With the Spanish national team, Busquets became the silent anchor behind some of the country’s most historic triumphs. He played a pivotal role in Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup victory in South Africa, starting every game in the knockout stages as Vicente del Bosque’s side lifted the trophy for the first time in history. Two years later, he was again at the heart of the team that stormed to the 2012 European Championship title, completing a historic treble of consecutive international tournaments won alongside teammates like Iker Casillas, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and David Villa.
Over his international career, he earned 143 caps before officially retiring from Spain duty after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, drawing the curtain on a legacy that cemented his reputation as one of the most influential midfielders in modern football.
When Busquets announced in 2023 that he would be leaving Barcelona after more than 700 appearances for the club, it marked the end of a remarkable era. His departure was deeply felt by teammates, fans, and coaches alike, as he had been not only a consistent performer on the pitch but also a leader and mentor off it. Soon after, he embarked on a new adventure by joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, reuniting with his longtime friend and former teammate Lionel Messi.
His arrival in the United States was seen as a major coup for the league, boosting both the profile of Inter Miami and MLS as a whole. Though in the twilight of his career, Busquets continued to display his trademark composure, vision, and positional awareness, proving that class and intelligence often age better than athleticism.
In recent months, however, speculation has intensified regarding his retirement. Speaking candidly in interviews, Busquets acknowledged that his body and mind are signaling that the end is approaching. He ruled out any return to European football, stating that chapter of his career was firmly closed when he left Barcelona, and he emphasized his desire to finish his career with dignity rather than prolong it unnecessarily. Reports in Spain and the US suggest that he is likely to announce his retirement formally at the end of the 2025 MLS season, giving him the opportunity to bow out in front of fans and teammates while still performing at a respectable level.
The legacy Busquets leaves behind is immense. Unlike many stars who dominate highlight reels with goals and dazzling skills, his genius was subtler but no less crucial. He mastered the art of anticipation, often intercepting passes before opponents realized the danger. His simple yet precise distribution kept teams ticking, while his positional discipline allowed more attacking teammates to flourish.
Former teammates, including Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández, and Gerard Piqué, have repeatedly described him as one of the most intelligent and underrated players they ever shared a pitch with. Coaches, too, have lauded his tactical awareness, with Guardiola famously remarking that if you watch the game, “you don’t see Busquets, but if you watch Busquets, you see the whole game.”
For Inter Miami, Busquets’ retirement will be a significant moment. His leadership in the locker room and his ability to calm games on the pitch have been vital as the club grows in stature. Losing his presence will force the team to find new solutions in midfield, while also highlighting the challenges of replacing a player whose qualities are almost impossible to replicate. Beyond his current club, his retirement will resonate globally, as fans of Barcelona, Spain, and football at large prepare to say farewell to one of the most influential holding midfielders in history.
As the footballing world awaits his formal announcement, one thing is already clear, Busquets’ name is etched permanently into the history of the sport. His career has been one of excellence, humility, and quiet brilliance, shaping the way modern defensive midfielders are judged. From the heights of the Camp Nou to the biggest stages of international football, he leaves behind not just trophies but also an enduring lesson in the value of intelligence, discipline, and teamwork.
Whether his final match comes later this year or next, it will surely be marked by tributes, tears, and widespread recognition of a man who, without seeking the spotlight, defined it for nearly two decades.
