Inter Miami midfielder and former Barcelona and Spain star Sergio Busquets has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.
The 37-year-old made the announcement on Thursday, September 26, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned nearly two decades at the highest levels of the sport.
“These will be my last months on the pitch. I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all grateful,” Busquets said in a video shared on his Instagram page. “A heartfelt thank you to everyone and to football for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story.”
Busquets is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders in football history. Known for his elegance, skill, and composure under pressure, he became synonymous with the style of play that defined both Barcelona and Spain during their most dominant years.
At Barcelona, Busquets was a cornerstone of the team that dominated European football between 2009 and 2015. He helped the club secure nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, playing alongside legends such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez. His ability to read the game, control tempo, and break up opposition attacks made him indispensable to successive Barcelona managers.
On the international stage, Busquets was a central figure in Spain’s golden era. He was part of the squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Spain’s first ever, and played a crucial role in their triumph at the 2012 UEFA European Championship. By the time he retired from international duty after the 2022 World Cup, he had earned 143 caps for his country.
In 2023, Busquets moved to the United States to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, linking up once again with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. His arrival in Miami was hailed as a major step in raising the profile and competitiveness of the league, and he continued to display the intelligence and technical ability that defined his career.
Busquets’ retirement will mark the conclusion of a football journey that saw him rise from Barcelona’s youth system to the pinnacle of world football, collecting both collective trophies and individual acclaim.
