La Liga: Barça legend Sergio Busquets announces his departure

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets, a Barça legend, announced on Wednesday that he would leave the Catalan club at the end of the season, at the age of 34, after spending his entire career there. "The time has come to announce that this season is my last with FC Barcelona," the three-time Champions League winner said in a video on his Instagram account.

In fifteen professional seasons in the Blaugrana jersey, Busquets won 31 trophies. In addition to the 2009, 2011 and 2015 Champions Leagues, he has eight Spanish league titles, seven national cups and three Club World Cups.

He will win a last title of champion of Spain

Its 32nd title is only a matter of days, as Barcelona are top of La Liga with 13 points ahead of runners-up Atlético Madrid, five days from the end. He was also world champion (2010) and European champion (2012) with Spain.

"I had always dreamed of being able to play in this shirt and in this stadium (at Camp Nou), but reality has exceeded all my dreams," enthuses the tireless defensive midfielder in his video, illustrated with images of different highlights of his career.

"Who could have told me, when I arrived at the youth level (Editor's note: at 17), that I was going to live 15 seasons in the best club in the world?"

Busquets was one of the pillars of Barca's golden generation, which dominated Europe in the early 2010s, along with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Endowed with an exceptional technique in his position, he was served by his intelligence of situations and his ability to direct the game.

Towards a departure for Saudi Arabia?

He is also one of the very few Champions League winners whose father had already lifted the trophy, since he is the son of Carles Busquets, Barça goalkeeper and winner of the competition in 1992. To date, Busquets has played 718 games for FC Barcelona. Only Messi and Xavi have done better.

1️5⃣ ⃣ years in the team first
7⃣1⃣8⃣ matches played
#5ergioUnic🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/E8FpvOricW

— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_fra) May 10, 2023

In his message announcing his departure, he does not reveal anything about his future. But the press has recently raised the possibility of a transfer to Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo already plays, and where Lionel Messi could also leave. Some rumors send him to Al-Nassr, the formation of "CR7", others evoke the club of Al-Hilal.