Spanish football legend Sergio Busquets has announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
The 37-year-old midfielder, currently playing with Inter Miami, revealed his decision in an emotional video posted on his Instagram page, where he thanked fans, teammates and coaches for supporting his remarkable career.
“These will be my last months on the pitch. I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled and above all, grateful,” Busquets said, reflecting on nearly two decades at the top of world football.
Busquets’ football journey began at FC Barcelona, where he rose from La Masia academy to make his senior debut in 2008 under Pep Guardiola.
Over the next 15 years, he became a central figure in Barcelona’s golden era, playing more than 700 matches and winning an incredible nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
His calmness under pressure, tactical intelligence and ability to control the tempo of games made him indispensable for both club and country.
On the international stage, Busquets was equally influential. He earned 143 caps for Spain, anchoring the midfield during their historic triumphs at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship. His consistency and leadership cemented his place as one of Spain’s greatest-ever players.
In July 2023, Busquets moved to the United States, joining Inter Miami alongside close friend Lionel Messi and former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez.
At the club, he quickly became a leader on and off the field, helping the team lift the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield. He even scored his first goal for Miami in April 2024, a rare but celebrated moment in his career.
As he prepares to hang up his boots, Busquets leaves behind a legacy defined not by flashy statistics but by his unmatched vision, intelligence and composure.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with fans hailing him as the heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain’s most successful eras. His retirement will mark the end of an era for modern football.