Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is set to retire from professional football at the conclusion of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, his club Inter Miami announced on Thursday.
After 18 years at Barcelona, where he debuted in 2008, Busquets joined Inter Miami in 2023, reuniting with Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez.
In an Instagram video, Busquets shared: "I feel like the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. It's been almost 20 years of enjoying this incredible story I always dreamed of."
He added, "I'm retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all, grateful... Thank you all very much, see you soon."
Busquets will be widely remembered as one of the greatest in a generation of midfielders, alongside the likes of Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta.
He largely redefined play in the middle third during the modern era and certainly came to define the successful Spanish team, which won three major tournaments in a row.
For many, he has been the best holding midfielder in the game of the last decade.
Only Sergio Ramos (180) and Iker Casillas (167) made more appearances for Spain than Busquets, who also played at Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, as well as the 2016 and delayed 2020 Euros.
Busquets made more than 700 appearances for Barcelona, winning nine La Liga crowns and three Champions League trophies among his collection of major trophies with the club. He also ranks third on the club’s all-time list of appearances.
After moving to the US, the 37-year-old won the Leagues Cup and Supporters' Shield and will play the final few matches of his career in the MLS playoffs.
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