Sergio Busquets Officially Retires From Professional Football—-Ex Barcelona midfield maestro and current Inter Miami player Sergio Busquets, officially announced announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional football at the end of the current Major League Soccer campaign.
The 37-year-old, who joined Barça’s first team in 2008 under Pep Guardiola at the age of 20, became a key figure in a generation led by Lionel Messi that dominated world football.
World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, Busquets made the announcement in a video shared on social media. He said:
“These will be my last months on the pitch. I retire very happy, proud, fulfilled and above all grateful.”
The midfielder added: “I feel that the moment has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. It has been almost 20 years enjoying this incredible story that I always dreamed of.”
He leaves grateful to the game that gave him “unique experiences, in wonderful places, alongside the best teammates on the journey.”
Busquets also paid tribute to Barcelona during his retirement announcement, saying:
“Thank you to Football Club Barcelona, the club of my life. There I fulfilled the dreams I had as a child, wore the shirt I loved in hundreds of matches, celebrated many titles and lived unforgettable moments at the Camp Nou.”
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and to football, for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story,” he captioned the video post on his social media.
Busquets will soon join his former midfield partners-in-crime, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, in retirement. He will end his career playing, as he once did at Barça, alongside Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami.
During his time at Barcelona, Busquets won: 3 Champions Leagues, 9 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 7 Spanish Super Cups, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, and 3 UEFA Super Cups.
With the Spanish national team, for whom he earned 143 caps, Busquets lifted the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. His departure from Barcelona came in 2023, following which he signed for Inter Miami.
DR Congo Stun Portugal with Hard-Fought Draw in FIFA World Cup Opener—–European giants Portugal were forced to settle for a point after a resilient DR Congo side produced a spirited display in their opening Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal entered the match as overwhelming favourites, boasting one of the most talented squads in the tournament and carrying expectations of a deep World Cup run. However, DR Congo delivered one of the standout performances of the opening round, battling their way to a hard-earned 1-1 draw and sending a message to the rest of Group K.
From the opening whistle, Portugal dominated possession and attempted to impose their trademark passing game. Midfielders controlled the tempo, circulating the ball patiently as they searched for openings in a well-organized Congolese defense.
Despite Portugal’s territorial dominance, DR Congo remained disciplined. The African side sat compactly, denying space between the lines and forcing Portugal into speculative efforts from distance. Whenever possession was regained, DR Congo transitioned quickly, using their pace and physicality to threaten on the counterattack.
Portugal eventually broke the deadlock after a sustained spell of pressure. The European giants carved open the Congolese defense with a swift attacking move, allowing their forwards to capitalize and put the Seleção ahead. The goal appeared to settle Portugal and many expected them to push on for a comfortable victory.
Instead, DR Congo responded magnificently.
Refusing to panic, the Leopards gradually grew into the game and began committing more bodies forward. Their persistence paid off when they found an equalizer, sparking wild celebrations among their supporters. The goal shifted momentum dramatically and exposed Portugal’s growing frustration.
The second half became increasingly tense as Portugal searched desperately for a winner. Chances came and went, with the Congolese goalkeeper producing several crucial interventions while defenders threw themselves into blocks to preserve the scoreline.
Cristiano Ronaldo remained at the center of Portugal’s attacking efforts, attempting to inspire his side through moments of individual brilliance. However, DR Congo’s defensive structure held firm, limiting clear-cut opportunities and frustrating the Portuguese captain throughout the contest.
As the clock ticked down, Portugal threw numbers forward in search of a decisive breakthrough. The pressure intensified in the closing stages, but DR Congo continued to defend heroically while still posing a threat on the counterattack.
When the final whistle sounded, the contrasting emotions were evident. Portuguese players looked disappointed after dropping points against a team they were expected to beat, while DR Congo celebrated a result that could prove crucial in their quest to reach the knockout rounds.
Brazil were forced to settle for a point in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a spirited Morocco side held the South American giants to a 1-1 draw in a captivating Group C encounter at MetLife Stadium.
The Atlas Lions struck first in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Díaz before calmly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker to give Morocco a deserved lead. The African side’s intensity and organization troubled Brazil throughout the opening stages.
Brazil responded through their star man Vinícius Júnior, who produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 32nd minute. The Real Madrid winger drove into the box and unleashed a powerful finish beyond Yassine Bounou to restore parity and ignite the Brazilian supporters.
Despite enjoying more possession after the break, Brazil struggled to break down a disciplined Moroccan defence. Morocco, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counterattack and arguably created the clearer opportunities in the closing stages.
The result leaves Group C finely poised, with both teams earning a valuable point in what was billed as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the opening round. While Brazil avoided an early setback thanks to Vinícius’ heroics, Morocco once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most dangerous sides on the international stage.
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