Inter Miami star and Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets announces retirement | OneFootball

Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets has announced on his social media that he will retire at the end of the current MLS season.

Rumours have been doing the rounds over the last few days that the former Barcelona legend would hang up his boots at the end of the year when his contract expires with the MLS giants, though Herons’ head coach Javier Mascherano brushed them off.

Having retired from international football in 2022 in the wake of Spain’s exit from the World Cup in the round of 16, Busquets have now decided to call time on a glittering club career.

The 37-year-old moved to Inter Miami in 2023 after nearly spending two decades at Barca, where he left behind an enduring legacy.

Later, his former teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez followed his footsteps to link up with him at Miami.

Busquets has featured in 101 games for the Herons with 16 assists, playing an instrumental role in winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. He is one of the top earners in the league, with a salary of $8.8 million.

Rodrigo De Paul is likely to take up the Spaniard’s Designated Player spot at Miami. The Argentine midfielder is currently on loan from Atletico Madrid, with a purchase option worth €15 million.

In his prime, Busquets was considered one of the best holding midfielders of all time, displaying an unmatched vision and consistency. His ethereal performances have captivated the fans, players and managers alike.

The former La Masia graduate ranks third for the most number of appearances (722) in Barca’s history, winning nine La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and several other honours.

He was also a prominent figure in Spain’s golden generation, lifting the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the 2012 European Championship.