Inter Miami has finalized the transfer of Sergio Busquets, the former Barcelona midfielder, on a contract that runs until 2025. The Major League Soccer (MLS) team made the announcement on Sunday, revealing that Busquets, aged 35, will be reuniting with his former teammate Lionel Messi. Busquets decided not to renew his contract with Barcelona after spending 18 years with the club. This signing comes shortly after Miami officially confirmed Messi’s arrival on Saturday.
Busquets, a winner of the 2010 World Cup, will be joining the Inter Miami squad in the upcoming days and will take up a designated player slot, as confirmed by the club. Managing owner Jorge Mas expressed his excitement about the signing, stating, “I am excited to welcome Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami. Since day one, we have set out to bring the world’s best players, and Sergio’s repertoire speaks for itself.” The former Barcelona captain, who retired from international duty last year, boasts an impressive record with over 700 appearances for the Spanish champions. During his time at Barcelona, Busquets secured nine LaLiga crowns, seven Copa del Rey titles, three Champions League trophies, and three Club World Cups.
Media reports indicated that Busquets was also pursued by Al Hilal and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, he ultimately chose to join Inter Miami. The club expects Busquets to be ready for their Leagues Cup opener against Mexican side Cruz Azul on Saturday, which will also mark Messi’s debut for the team.
Inter Miami took advantage of the MLS designated player rule, allowing them to acquire up to three players whose total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the salary cap. Sporting director Chris Henderson expressed his satisfaction with the addition of Busquets, stating, “We’re very happy to bring somebody of Sergio’s pedigree to Inter Miami. He is one of the smartest players to ever play the sport; he reads the game at an unprecedented level and impacts every facet of play.”
Busquets himself expressed his excitement about this new opportunity, stating, “This is a special and exciting opportunity that I’m very excited to take. I’m looking forward to this next step in my career with Inter Miami. I was impressed by the club when I came with Barcelona last year, and now I’m happy and ready to represent the club myself. I can’t wait to help bring the success that this ambitious club strives for.” Furthermore, Busquets already has a strong relationship with Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who previously held the position of head coach at Barcelona from 2013 to 2014 and had an excellent bond with Messi.
Inter Miami is currently facing a challenging season in the MLS, holding the worst record in the 29-team league with 5 wins, 14 losses, and 3 draws, accumulating only 18 points. The team has gone winless in their last 11 MLS matches, with a series of 8 losses and 3 draws since their 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on May 13.
In summary, Inter Miami’s signing of Sergio Busquets marks a major acquisition for the club. With his wealth of experience and accomplishments, Busquets brings a winning mentality, leadership, and world-class talent to the team. Inter Miami is hopeful that Busquets, alongside Messi, can contribute to the success they are striving for.
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