Lionel Messi's right-hand man Sergio Busquets to retire from football at end of Inter Miami's 2025 MLS season

COPE journalist Nacho Garcia has reported that Busquets will retire once his Inter Miami contract expires in late 2025. The World Cup winner has openly hinted he is nearing the end, admitting last summer he was "much closer to ending my career than to continuing it". While no official announcement has been made yet, confirmation is now believed to be imminent.

Busquets’ retirement will mark the departure of one of football’s most decorated and intelligent midfielders. For Inter Miami, it means losing a key Designated Player who, alongside Messi and Jordi Alba, has formed the backbone of their Barcelona-inspired project. His exit will create a major gap, though Messi’s expected contract renewal provides stability for the MLS side moving forward.

A La Masia graduate, Busquets debuted for Barcelona in 2008 under Pep Guardiola and went on to make 722 appearances, the third-most in the club's history. He became synonymous with Barca’s tiki-taka style, winning nine La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns. Reports in Spain suggest he could return to Barcelona in a non-playing role, with a move into coaching or an ambassadorial position not ruled out.

Busquets will hope to bow out in a blaze of glory as Inter Miami chase their maiden MLS Cup. Javier Mascherano's side are sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference table after 28 games, and beat D.C. United 3-2 last time out, thanks to another Messi masterclass.