Sergio Busquets confirms retirement after 2025 MLS season, ending a legendary career with Barcelona, Spain & Inter Miami.
Inter Miami midfielder and Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets has revealed he will leave professional football after the conclusion of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign. The 37-year-old broke the news via an emotional social media statement on Thursday.
"These will be my final months on the pitch. I am retiring extremely happy, proud, satisfied, and more than anything grateful," Busquets stated through a video on Instagram. "A huge thank you to everyone and to football for all of it. You will always be part of this lovely story."
Busquets has been universally considered one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the history of football. Due to his serenity under pressure, brilliant positioning, and accurate passing, he emerged as a pillar in Barcelona's midfield for over a decade. His cool-headedness on the ball made it possible for Barcelona to hold possession and set the pace for games, gaining appreciation from fans, players, and opponents alike.
Throughout his glorious career at Barcelona, Busquets was a key player in nine La Liga title wins. He was also a central figure in Barcelona's three UEFA Champions League wins, cementing his position in the club's all-time greats. His playmaking ability, ball-carrying capability from defense to attack, and game-reading skills made him irreplaceable for club and country.
Busquets also had a golden international career with Spain, winning 143 caps. He was an integral part of Spain's golden years, playing a role in the national team's 2010 FIFA World Cup victory and Euro 2012 win. His defensive midfield expertise enabled Spain to dominate games in pivotal matches, being essential to their success at the international level.
Following his retirement from global football after the 2022 World Cup, Busquets came out of retirement in 2023 to join Inter Miami, where he reunited with his old Barcelona colleague Lionel Messi. Not only has his arrival at Major League Soccer brought quality and experience to the squad, but also raised the league's profile around the world. United States fans have enjoyed the opportunity to see one of football's contemporary greats at work.
Sergio Busquets has a legacy of professionalism, intelligence, and unshakeable consistency. As he sets to retire his boots, the football universe commemorates a career filled with trophies, records, and moments of quiet brilliance that defined an age for Barcelona and Spain.
