A storied career comes to a close
On Thursday, September 26, 2025, Sergio Busquets released an emotional video confirming his decision to hang up his boots after the MLS campaign with Inter Miami. In the clip, the former Barcelona captain thanked the coaches, teammates and fans who shaped a career that spanned three continents and more than 800 competitive matches.
Busquets’ journey began in the La Masia youth academy, where he caught Pep Guardiola’s eye and earned his first‑team debut in 2008. Over the next 15 seasons at Barcelona, he accumulated nine LaLiga crowns, three Champions League trophies and seven Copa del Rey titles, all while logging more than 700 appearances for the club he repeatedly called “the club of my life.”
Beyond the silverware, his influence was subtler – a quiet intelligence that dictated the tempo from a deep‑lying midfield role. His ability to read passes before they were made, coupled with razor‑sharp positioning, made him the invisible engine behind Messi’s dribbles and Suarez’s runs.
In 2010, Busquets helped Spain lift the World Cup in South Africa, then added two European Championships in 2008 and 2012 to his résumé. Those triumphs cemented his status as a cornerstone of what many still refer to as Spain’s golden generation.
After leaving Barcelona in 2023, he joined Inter Miami, reuniting with Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez. The move not only extended his playing days but also gave MLS a seasoned tactician capable of mentoring younger talent while still delivering high‑level performances in the U.S. market.
Reactions from football's elite
The announcement triggered a wave of tributes across social media. FC Barcelona’s official account posted: “The club of your life. A legend of our club. Thank you for your football, Sergio!” while highlighting clips of his iconic interceptions and calm distribution.
Long‑time rival Sergio Ramos, now with Monterrey, wrote, “Busi, you are the definition of how to be exceptional while remaining an ordinary guy… football is losing one of the most brilliant midfielders I’ve ever played with.” The mutual respect between the two former Spain teammates underscored how Busquets transcended club rivalries.
Lionel Messi, sharing the Miami pitch, posted a simple yet heartfelt note: “Thank you for everything, brother. The game will miss you.” Their on‑field chemistry, forged over a decade at Barcelona, continues to be a fan favourite in MLS.
Former teammates and coaches also chimed in, citing his leadership in the dressing room and his mentorship of younger players such as Pedri and Gavi. Guardiola, who first trusted Busquets in the midfield, recalled, “He understood the game before it was spoken. He taught me as much as I taught him.”
As the MLS season progresses, Busquets will likely add a few more memorable moments – a perfectly timed slide tackle, a calm pass that unlocks a defense, and perhaps a final assist before his last match. When the final whistle blows, his name will join the pantheon of defensive midfield greats, alongside the likes of Xabi Alonso and Claude Makélélé.
Sergio Busquets retirement marks the end of an era defined by tactical precision, humility and a relentless pursuit of team success. The football world will feel the void, but his influence will echo in the playbooks of future midfielders who strive to emulate his understated brilliance.
Comments
tushar singh
Sergio was the quiet force that made everything else possible. No flashy tackles, no ego-just perfect timing and a brain that saw five moves ahead. Football needs more like him.
Thanks for the memories, Busi. You didn’t just play the game-you elevated it.
John Bartow
I remember watching him in 2010 and thinking, 'How is he always in the right place?' It wasn’t luck-it was pure spatial intelligence. He didn’t need to sprint or dive or celebrate-he just existed in the flow of the game like a riverbed shaping the water. And now, watching him in MLS, he’s doing the same thing but teaching kids how to think, not just run. That’s legacy. That’s not just a player-that’s a philosopher with cleats. The game’s not just losing a midfielder; it’s losing a tutor who never raised his voice but changed everything anyway.
Mark L
busquets was the ultimate teammate 😭👏 no drama, no selfies, just pure football IQ. i’m gonna miss those 3-second passes that turned defense into attack like magic. thank you for the calm, brother 🙏⚽
Orlaith Ryan
So. Much. Class.!
Jacquelyn Barbero
I used to watch his positioning in slow motion just to understand how he knew where to stand. He didn’t need to be the fastest-he was always three steps ahead. I’ve shown clips of him to my nephew who’s 12. He’s now trying to play like Busquets, not Mbappé. That’s the real impact.
toby tinsley
There’s something almost sacred about a player who never sought the spotlight but was the reason the spotlight shone so brightly on others. Busquets didn’t play to be remembered-he played to make the team better. And in doing so, he became unforgettable. We don’t have many like him anymore. Maybe we never did.
Chris Richardson
Honestly, the most underrated part of his game was how he made everyone around him better without saying a word. Pedri and Gavi didn’t just get better-they learned how to think. That’s coaching without a clipboard. And now he’s doing the same in Miami. The man’s a walking playbook.
Arvind Pal
Busi was the silent king no one noticed until he was gone
Pete Thompson
Let’s be real-this whole 'legend' narrative is just media overkill. He never scored a crucial goal, never won Ballon d’Or, never even led a team as captain in a final. He was just a guy who stood in the same spot for 15 years. Don’t romanticize mediocrity disguised as intelligence.
Richard Berry
wait so he was like… the human wifi router for the whole team? 😂 i get it now. every time someone passed to him it just… worked. like magic. but also math. i need to show this to my dumb cousin who thinks midfielders are just guys who run in circles
Sandy Everett
I’ve coached youth soccer for 12 years. I show my kids Busquets clips every season. Not for his tackles. Not for his passes. For how he stayed calm when everyone else panicked. That’s the lesson. Not technique-presence.
J Mavrikos
I saw him play in Barcelona in 2011 and again in Miami last month. Same calm. Same timing. Same quiet dominance. That’s rare. Most players fade. He just… evolved. And now he’s giving back in MLS. That’s not retirement-that’s transition. He’s still winning.
Stuart Sandman
You know who really benefited from Busquets? The Spanish media. They needed a 'gentleman' to sell their 'tiki-taka' fairy tale. Meanwhile, real football-physical, aggressive, passionate-got buried under his calm. He was the perfect pawn for the global football narrative. Don’t be fooled.
DJ Paterson
There’s a quiet dignity in how he moved through football-like a monk who happened to wear cleats. He never claimed greatness. He simply embodied it. And now, in retirement, he leaves behind not trophies, but a new language of positioning, patience, and presence. We’ll all be trying to translate it for decades.
Nikhil nilkhan
He made the hard look easy. That’s the mark of a true master. Not the flashy ones-the ones who make you wonder why you ever thought you needed to sprint. Just stand. Wait. See. Then move. Busquets taught me that on the pitch and off.
Damini Nichinnamettlu
I’m Indian. I didn’t grow up with La Liga. But I watched Busquets play. I didn’t understand tactics. But I felt it. He made football beautiful without screaming. That’s the kind of legend that crosses borders. No hype. Just heart.