{"id":8678,"date":"2025-09-26T08:35:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T08:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/26\/lionel-messi-set-for-emotional-farewell-as-barcelona-legend-officially-announces-his-retirement\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T08:35:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T08:35:41","slug":"lionel-messi-set-for-emotional-farewell-as-barcelona-legend-officially-announces-his-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/26\/lionel-messi-set-for-emotional-farewell-as-barcelona-legend-officially-announces-his-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi set for emotional farewell, as Barcelona legend officially announces his retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets announces he is planning to retire at the end of the season and will have the opportunity to bring time to his career alongside Lionel Messi<\/h2>\n
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08:02, September 26, 2025<\/span>Updated 08:13, September 26, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Sergio Basquets was part of the iconic Barcelona team along with something like Lionel Messi.<\/span>(Image: Shaun Botterill – FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Barcelona icon and Intermiami midfielder Sergio Basket have announced they will retire at the end of the season. After competing in the major league soccer playoffs, the Spaniard is scheduled to compete in the final weeks of his career.<\/p>\n
Busquets has had a trophy-equipped career, where he landed World Cup and European Championship victory, nine La Liga titles, three Champion Leagues and seven Copa Del Reys. The 37-year-old passes through the Ramasia Academy in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bspending 18 years at the Catalonia Club before moving to MLS in 2023, and now plays with former Barcasters of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.<\/p>\n
The rise of the midfielder becomes synonymous with the emergence of Pep Guardiola, where Barcelona forms the central figure of his tikataka style, dominating European football. Its success was translated into the international stage with Spain.<\/p>\n
read more: Lionel Messi refuses to see Thierry Henry, and his Zinedine Zidane’s remarks summarise him<\/span><\/span>read more: Lionel Messi responded to the Baron de Or hosts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Announcing his retirement, Busquets said on Instagram:<\/p>\n
“I am truly grateful to all.<\/p>\n
In a statement, InterMiami said: \u201cSince joining Intermiami CF in 2023, Basket has been instrumental in the club’s continued growth, contributing to his vision and quality in the midfield, as well as his experience and leadership, and playing a role in winning both the supporter’s Shield and League Cup.<\/p>\n
“The team looks forward to his contributions in pushing towards the goal during the final stretch of the campaign, which has made him recognized as one of the biggest midfielders in football history, claiming numerous titles and accolades between FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.”<\/p>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Lionel Messi and Sergio’s basketball are Intermiami teammates<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Busquets will have the opportunity to bow along with longtime Barcelona colleague Messi in Intermiami. The MLS regular season will run until mid-October, with the playoffs going to center stage until December.<\/p>\n
After such a long career, questions arise about what’s next for basketball, and following his exit from Barcelona in 2023, Guardiola suggested what’s still on his path.<\/p>\n
“The basket was the best and I was able to read everything that would happen and predict the situation,” he said. “He didn’t move much, but he didn’t move only in the center, but he managed to solve brain problems. It was fascinating to work with him and learn. I said that in my private life… I think he’ll be an exceptional coach.”<\/p>\n
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Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, showing an even greater increase of up to 100.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article35968463.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-502054592.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33374947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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