Busquets to retire at end of MLS season

Sergio Busquets will retire from playing at the end of the Major League Soccer season in December, bringing to a close an 18-year professional career that began with Barcelona and carried him to Inter Miami.

Inter Miami midfielder, 38, has won 32 major honours during his time at Barcelona, including nine La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. He appeared in 722 matches for the club — the third-most in its history — and earned 143 caps for Spain, forming the backbone of the national team that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Busquets joined Inter Miami in 2023, reuniting with former Barca teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez as he continued his career in MLS.

In a video posted on 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. Thank you all very much, see you soon."

Busquets came through Barcelona's academy, joining the club in 2005, progressing to Barca B, and making his first-team debut under manager Pep Guardiola in a 2008 league win against Racing Santander.

He made his international debut for Spain in 2009 and retired from international duty in December 2022 as the country's third-highest appearance holder.

Inter Miami secured their place in the MLS play-offs with a 4-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday. The 18-team play-offs begin on 22 October and culminate with the MLS Cup on 6 December.