Sergio Busbits Announces Retirement at Season End, Closing a Legendary Football Career

Farewell to a Midfield Maestro

On Thursday, Inter Miami CF confirmed that veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets will retire at the close of the 2025 MLS campaign. The 37‑year‑old, who joined the South Florida side in 2023, said the decision was driven by a desire to step away while still able to contribute on the pitch. His final appearances will come during the league’s playoff push, giving fans a chance to celebrate a career that spanned nearly two decades at the highest level.

Busquets arrived in Miami after a glittering 18‑year spell at FC Barcelona, where he logged over 700 matches and became the heartbeat of a side that dominated Spanish and European football. In the United States, his calm distribution and tactical acumen helped the club capture the MLS Supporters' Shield and the Leagues Cup, adding two major trophies to a résumé already brimming with silverware.

The announcement sparked a wave of admiration across social media. Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos called Busquets "the definition of excellence while staying an ordinary guy," highlighting his humility alongside his on‑field brilliance. Lionel Messi, who shared the Barcelona dressing room with Busquets for a decade and now partners with him at Inter Miami, posted a heartfelt tribute that underscored their enduring on‑field partnership.

Barcelona itself issued a short but sincere note, branding him a "legend" and thanking him for the years of dedication. The club’s statement read: "The Club of your life. A legend at our Club. Thanks for all the football, Sergio!"

Legacy and Impact

The breadth of Busquets' achievements puts him among the most decorated players of his generation. His trophy cabinet includes:

• 9 La Liga championships
• 3 UEFA Champions League titles
• 7 Copa del Rey trophies
• 1 FIFA World Cup (2010) and 2 UEFA European Championships (2008, 2012) with Spain
• Mentionable MLS accolades: Supporters' Shield (2024) and Leagues Cup (2024)

Beyond the hardware, analysts frequently cite his positional sense, low centre of gravity, and unrivaled ability to read the game as the hallmarks of the modern defensive midfielder. Trained at Barcelona's La Masia academy, he grew into a player whose subtle movements often dictated the tempo for both club and country.

His style—quiet, precise, and rarely flashy—earned the nickname "the unsung hero" of every team he graced. Coaches praised his discipline, while teammates lauded his leadership, noting that he could calm a frantic match with a single pass.

As the MLS season draws to a close, Miami fans will likely see Busquets line up for his last professional match, a fitting curtain call for a player whose influence extended far beyond the numbers on a scoresheet. The Sergio Busquets retirement will be remembered not just for the titles he helped win, but for the professionalism and humility he brought to every locker room.