Lionel Messi set for emotional farewell as Barcelona legend officially announces retirement

Barcelona icon and Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. After qualifying for Major League Soccer's play-offs, the Spaniard is set to compete in the final weeks of his career.

Busquets will bring to a close a trophy-laden career which saw him land a World Cup and European championship win, nine La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys. The 37-year-old came through Barcelona's La Masia academy and spent 18 years with the Catalan club before making the move to the MLS in 2023, where he now plays with former Barca stars in Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.

The midfielder's rise will be synonymous with Pep Guardiola's emergence as a coach, with Busquets forming a central figure of his tika-taka style that saw Barcelona dominate European football. That success translated to the international stage with Spain, for who Busquets earned 137 caps.

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Announcing his retirement, Busquets said on Instagram: "I feel that the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional soccer player. It has been almost 20 years enjoying this incredible story that I have always dreamed of.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and to football, for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story."

Inter Miami said in a statement: "Since joining Inter Miami CF in 2023, Busquets has been instrumental in the club’s continued growth, contributing his vision and quality in midfield, as well as his experience and leadership, and playing a role in winning both the Supporters’ Shield and the Leagues Cup.

"The team now looks forward to his contribution in the push for its objectives during the final stretch of the campaign, which will bring to a close an extraordinary career that saw him claim numerous titles and accolades with FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team, earning recognition as one of the greatest midfielders in football history."

Busquets will fittingly get the chance to bow out alongside his long-time Barcelona colleague Messi at Inter Miami. The MLS regular season runs until mid-October, with the play-offs then taking centre stage until December.

Questions will arise over what is next for Busquets after such a long-storied career, and following his exit from Barcelona in 2023, Guardiola suggested what will yet lie in his path.

"Busquets was the best, able to read everything that happens and anticipate situations," he said. "He didn’t move a lot, only in the centre, but he could solve any problem with his brain. It was fascinating to work and learn with him. I said it in private but... I think he will be an exceptional coach."

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