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Sergio Busquets, Spain's legendary midfielder, has made a major announcement on his career as he confirms his retirement from professional football at the end of the ongoing MLS season.

Busquets currently plays for Inter Miami, having joined them in 2023 after spending nearly two decades at Barcelona. The decision brings an end to one of the most distinguished careers in modern football history.

"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," the 37-year-old midfielder said in an emotional Instagram video.

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A post shared by Sergio Busquets (@5sergiob)

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Busquets came through Barcelona's youth setup and went on to make 722 appearances for the Catalan giants, the third most in the history of the club. In these appearances, he won 32 trophies that include nine La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey wins, and three UEFA Champions League victories. His career total of trophy tally stands at 36 major titles across Barcelona, Spain and Inter Miami.

For Spain, Sergio Busquets played 143 appearances for Spain while being a part of the 2010 World Cup winning line-up and the UEFA Euro win in 2012. He was a crucial part of Spain's golden generation, forming an incredible midfield trio with his Barca teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. He decided to leave international football behind in December 2022 after the Qatar World Cup.

The brilliance of Busquets often went unnoticed due to his position. However, it was all about his positional intelligence that stood out throughout his career, press-resistant ball retention and creation of passing lanes that easily transformed defence into attacking opportunities.

The veteran midfielder went on to join Inter Miami a couple of years ago, joining his teammates Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. The trio played a significant role in Inter Miami’s first-ever trophy win, the 2023 League Cup. In 2024, he played a key role as the club won their first Supporters' Shield, playing more minutes than any other outfield player.

Barcelona's former manager Pep Guardiola, under whom Busquets made it to the first team, once said, "He is one of the greatest talents that has been given to Spanish football. The first time I saw Busquets playing, I called a friend and said, ‘I saw a player from an extinct species.’ He is a star."