Sergio Busquets was the metronome for some of the greatest footballing sides to ever step onto a pitch.
The Spanish midfielder wasn’t flashy, and he didn’t bag boatloads of goals. But the teams he played in were always better for having him at the heart of their operation.
That will soon come to an end. Busquets announced his pending retirement on Friday.
He’ll hang his cleats up after the MLS season with Inter Miami concludes.
Busquets broke into the Barcelona first team in 2008 and played in a legendary midfield three with Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
In Busquets’ time at Barcelona, they won nine La Liga crowns, seven Copa del Rey tournaments and three Champions League titles.
His manager there, Pep Guardiola, once said, “If I could be a player now, I’d like to be Busquets.”
Busquets was a legend for Spain, too.
He earned 143 caps, and he never left the field during the 2010 World Cup, when the Spanish side hoisted the trophy.
Busquets was also a stalwart when Spain then went on to win the 2012 European Championship.
In his career’s closing chapter at Inter Miami, Busquets helped his new club win the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield.
He’s got one more closing run to try to add to his legacy.
But in reality, that legacy has long since been secured. There have been few better to ever play for Barcelona or the Spainish national team than Busquets.
MORE: Michael Jordan sums up Team USA’s Ryder Cup issues in 3 words
