Barcelona has confirmed that captain and longtime veteran midfielder of the club Sergio Busquets will leave at the end of the season.
After months of rumors of a move away, Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has announced his departure from the club. He will leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old’s current deal with the club ends on June 30. Efforts were made by the club to persuade him to stay for at least one more season.
🚨 BREAKING: Sergio Busquets will leave Barcelona after 18 years at the club 🔚 pic.twitter.com/VQoQhi9b5X
— 433 (@433) May 10, 2023
Manager Xavi Hernandez was a strong supporter of Busquet’s staying at Barcelona. In addition, the midfielder is rumored to have considered reuniting with Lionel Messi in the summer.
However, now he has decided to leave Spotify Camp Nou after the season, bringing an end to a remarkable career.
In a farewell video released by the club’s official social media channels, the 34-year-old veteran said, “The time has come to announce that this will be my last season with Barça. It has not been an easy decision, but the time has come.”
🥺 Llegenda del Barça. #5ergioUnic pic.twitter.com/yWGfCxYsUs
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) May 10, 2023
Sergio Busquets over the years
The Spanish midfielder made his debut under Pep Guardiola in 2008. He instantly became an undisputed starter at such a young age. He was a vital part of the iconic team under Guardiola that won the sextuple.
Busquets is Barcelona’s third-highest appearance maker with 719 appearances. He has won nearly every title available to him throughout his 18-year tenure at Camp Nou. This incredible trophy collection includes seven Copas del Rey, three Champions Leagues, and three Club World Cup victories. He is also expected to depart his childhood club on a positive note by adding a ninth La Liga trophy to his already impressive trophy collection.
Busquets was also part of the iconic Spanish team that won the World Cup in 2010 and two Euros in 2008 and 2012. He also recently announced his international retirement after the 2022 World Cup.
When Lionel Messi left in 2021, Busquets was given the captain’s armband. He lifted the Spanish Super Cup since then and can lift the La Liga title on Sunday if Barcelona beat rivals Espanyol.
Busquets faced heavy criticism from fans in his later age, due to his slow pace and lack of impact in big games. But there is no denying he is a legend of the club. The team will feel his absence in the next season as Busquets’s playing style was one of a kind.
Barcelona is now heavily interested in a replacement for the next season. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat are top targets for the replacement.
Busquets himself will now find a new challenge. MLS club Inter Miami is said to be heavily interested in the player. But Busquets will most likely join the Saudi League for one last big paycheck.
