Spain great Sergio Busquets to retire after MLS season

Former Barcelona and Spain midfield stalwart Sergio Busquets has confirmed that he will hang up his boots at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, while playing for Inter Miami. 

🏆 Career Highlights & Legacy

• Busquets rose through Barcelona’s youth system and spent 18 seasons with the senior team, making over 700 appearances. 

• With Barcelona, he won nine La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and several other domestic and international honours. 

• Internationally, he earned 143 caps for Spain and was integral to Spain’s triumphs at the 2010 FIFA World Cupand Euro 2012. 

🚨 The Announcement

In a farewell video posted on his social media, Busquets said:

“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 … I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all grateful.” 

He leaves professional play not in defeat, but after successful stints — including winning the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami. 

📅 Timeline & What Comes Next

• Busquets joined Inter Miami in mid-2023 and has played in the U.S. since. 

• His contract with Miami is understood to run through the end of the 2025 MLS season. 

• His final appearances will come during the MLS playoffs, wrapping up a storied playing career. 

⚖️ Reflections & Impact

Busquets is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders in football history — a player whose intelligence, positioning, and composure defined the position. 

Tributes have already begun pouring in. Former Spain and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos described Busquets as “one of the most brilliant midfielders” he ever shared the field with. 

As he steps away from the pitch, fans, clubs, and players will look back at a career built not just on trophies, but on consistent excellence and footballing elegance.