“An Unforgettable Journey”
FC Barcelona loses another icon in the summer. Sergio Busquets (34) has decided to leave Barça after 18 years (15 years with the professionals). The Catalans announced this via video on their social media platforms on Wednesday. With the defensive midfielder, whom the club calls “mark“ could not show sufficient financial appreciation with a new offer, by far the most used player from the current squad and the most loyal professional in LaLiga is leaving.
“Hello Culés, the moment has come to announce that this will be my last season at Barça. It was an unforgettable journey,” said Busquets, who has played 719 games for Barcelona’s professionals – only Lionel Messi and Xavi have managed more in the club’s history (to the statistics). “It was an honor, a pleasure, a source of pride and meant everything to me to defend and represent this logo for so many years. But everything has a beginning and an end. Although it wasn’t an easy decision, I think the time has come.”
Busquets chasing Xavi: The record players of FC Barcelona
An extension offer was pending a salary reduction of 70 percent, it was said recently. The significantly lower salary was not the only reason for Busquets’ decision, but it did play its part after the professional, who was born not far from Barcelona, had felt increasing dissatisfaction in recent years. Coach Xavi still wanted to persuade Busquets to stay. The captain and three-time Champions League winner could say goodbye by winning his ninth championship.
Rumors about FC Barcelona’s Busquets: For Messi to Saudi Arabia?
In the future, Busquets could be drawn to Saudi Arabia. In order to lure PSG star Messi, another icon who left the club in recent years, to the local league, those responsible for the Saudi Pro League are said to be planning to sign other well-known players and companions of Messi, including Busquets and Jordi Alba , Sergio Ramos, Marco Verratti, Ángel Di María or Leandro Paredes. The aim is not to get all the players on the same team, but to create an environment that could lead Messi to take the big leap. In Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, there are three top division clubs, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the former. The stars from Europe could then meet up with their families in a residential area.
A Barça legend says goodbye. #5ergioUnic pic.twitter.com/SWlDN2GtA2
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2023
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