The one from Badia del Vallès has been praised over and over again by all the technicians who have directed him
From Guardiola to Xavi, passing through Cruyff, Tito, Del Bosque, Luis Enrique, Lopetegui, Valverde, Setién and Koeman
Few cases are remembered in modern football like that of Sergio Busquets: from playing in the Third Division to being undisputed in the best team in the world in just a few months. For all of them, a real privilege to be able to train a footballer of his conditions. Some have even come to recognize that if he could be reincarnated again as a footballer, he would do so in the skin and boots of Badia del Vallès. Big words for an excellent player.
He made his debut with the Barça first team in 2008 under the guidance of Guardiola, after achieving with the Santpedor coach the promotion of the Blaugrana subsidiary to Second Division B and He quickly took over the pivot position to mark a before and after in the history of football. Pep gave him the opportunity and Sergio tied it tight so as not to miss it. A visionary like Cruyff already anticipated the enormous potential that he treasured in his legs and head on the day of his debut – the statement attached below was published two days after Busi’s debut with the first team in a Barça 1-1 Racing de Santander-.
After guardiola they arrived Tito vilanova, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, Luis Enrique, ernesto valverde, Quique Setien, ronald koeman and Xavi Hernandez at FC Barcelona; in addition to Johan Cruyff in the Catalan team and Vicente del Bosque, Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro, Robert Moreno and Luis Enrique in two stages in the Spanish team.
Accustomed to being ignored and forgotten in practically all the galas with individual distinctions, Busquets’ success goes beyond red carpets and statuettes that collect dust on a shelf at home. The innumerable praise from all his coaches and teammates is the best recognition of a career that has marked an era and puts an end to the most glorious stage in Barça’s history.
Here’s a look at some of the praise they’ve expressed ten of the coaches that Sergio Busquets has had throughout his football career:
Johan Cruyff
“To those you already had from the first team – plus Pedro and Víctor Vázquez – you can now add Sergi Busquets. Technically superior to Touré and Keita. Positionally, veteran appearance. With and without the ball. With the ball he made the difficult easy: giving out one/two touches. Without the ball, another lesson: to be in the right place to intercept and recover by running just enough. And that being young and inexperienced. The same sins as your technician & rdquor ;.
Pep Guardiola
“He is very intelligent, he understands everything. It is not easy to play in the best team in the world. If you survive so many years in Barcelona, you are very strong, because if you don’t they will take your job. I was lucky to be able to train him. He has earned it all. We gave him the opportunity, but he has earned it, I am of Del Bosque’s opinion; If I reincarnated I would like to look like him. He is the best midfielder in the world, tactically, the player who balances us the most. I like his humility, his silence and the tranquility with which he takes not being as protagonist as his colleagues“.
Tito vilanova
“Despite having that innate ability as we speak, there are many players who are left out since in the end it is a matter of the people who vote. Some will believe it unfair, others will not and in the end the important thing is that they feel valued by us. He has a great ability to understand the game both offensively and defensively. I have already said that for me in his position he is the best player“.
Vicente del Bosque
“If I were a player I would like to look like Busquets. He does everything, he is constantly willing to help the team, he is generous, he empties defensively, and he is one of the first to start playing soccer. And when he’s well, football becomes more fluid.”
Luis Enrique
“I don’t see a better pivot than Busi on the world scene to play what we want to play. What would you highlight about Busi? I would say: what would not stand out from Busi?. He is a guarantee, an exceptional player and often unfairly criticized. It is indispensable for me, I would like to be able to give it rest, but it is a whim that I cannot afford”.
Julen Lopetegui
“He is a top-level player who respects his position. It transmits passion and it is absolutely important, wherever you are“.
ernesto valverde
“He has self-confidence and He knew how to handle himself from day one. It brings balance.”
Quique Setien
“I have some framed jerseys at home, but not all the ones I have. Only framed and placed some special footballers who meet a series of conditions that satisfy me and fill me up. Good footballers, but others who are not great footballers. Also of upright, committed, honest people, good footballers on the field, not only in the game but in their behavior, in their attitude, and that’s where Busquets comes in. I have always had great admiration for him. Apart from being a great footballer, he transmits very good manners. Being a central midfielder is key for us, he is absolutely transcendental and his ability to understand everything is unique, and that’s why I asked him for a shirt and it’s framed in the place that has to go“.
ronald koeman
“He is a very clever player and very important for the team, especially because of his way of being. He is very professional and has a lot of quality.”
Xavi Hernandez
“For me he is a transcendental footballer for the team, vital for the dressing room. An example of sacrifice, of leadership. Priceless. From a football point of view, he is the balance of the team, he commands his teammates. When he is there and he is not there, it shows. There is a before and after of the defensive pivot with and without Busi. We will always see it as an example, a mold. This one looks like Busi, this one doesn’t… It’s vital.”