Sergio Busquets becomes last 2010/11 Champions League winner to leave Barcelona
Sergio Busquets' impending Barcelona departure will officially close the curtain on the most swashbuckling era in the club's modern history.
The Spanish midfielder will end his career in Catalonia as Barça's third-highest appearance-maker behind only Xavi Hernandez and Lionel Messi. Busquets will also add another La Liga crown to his trophy collection before he bids farewell; a title that'll join his eight leagues and three Champions League successes.
The elegant holding midfielder will be remembered as one of the finest of his generation, with Busquets starring as Barcelona emerged as the continent's premier force under Pep Guardiola. While the 2008/09 side claimed a historic treble, Barça's 2010/11 outfit that beat Man Utd in the Champions League final at Wembley is regarded by many as the superior side.
Busquets' departure will mean that no players from that team will be on the club's books next season. Well, unless a stunning reunion with Lionel Messi is completed this summer.
Where is the 2010/11 Barcelona squad now?
Player | Year they left Barcelona | Where are they playing now? |
|---|---|---|
Victor Valdes | 2014 | Retired in 2017 |
Jose Manuel Pinto | 2014 | Retired in 2014 |
Dani Alves | 2016 & 2022 | Prison |
Gerard Pique | 2022 | Retired in 2022 |
Carles Puyol | 2014 | Retired in 2014 |
Gabriel Milito | 2011 | Retired in 2012 |
Adriano | 2016 | Retired in 2021 |
Eric Abidal | 2013 | Retired in 2014 |
Maxwell | 2012 | Retired in 2017 |
Sergio Busquets | 2023* | Barcelona* |
Javier Mascherano | 2018 | Retired in 2020 |
Xavi | 2015 | Retired in 2019 |
Andres Iniesta | 2018 | Vissel Kobe |
Seydou Keita | 2012 | Retired in 2017 |
Ibrahim Afellay | 2015 | Retired in 2015 |
Lionel Messi | 2021 | Paris Saint-Germain |
Pedro | 2015 | Lazio |
Bojan Krkic | 2014 | Retired in 2023 |
David Villa | 2013 | Retired in 2020 |
Jeffren | 2021 | Lamphun Warriors |
Busquets was the last man standing from the sensational 2010/11 Barcelona squad that secured a La Liga and Champions League double. The midfielder started in a dazzling midfield three alongside Andres Iniesta and Xavi, who departed the club in 2018 and 2015 respectively.
Busquets started and finished every single game in Barcelona's Champions League run apart from their Matchday 5 encounter against Panathinaikos in the group stage. The Spaniard memorably assisted Messi's dynamite solo run in the semi-final first-leg victory over Clasico rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Regarding his stellar midfield partners, Xavi is, of course, now at the helm at Camp Nou, while Iniesta is set to leave Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe at the end of the season after spending five years in the Far East.
The vast majority of the squad has retired with Dani Alves (to an extent), Messi, Pedro and Jeffren - you know, the fella who scored the fifth in the unforgettable 5-0 victory over Real Madrid in 2010 - the only players still going alongside Busquets and Iniesta.
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Why is Sergio Busquets leaving Barcelona?
Busquets is finally departing Barcelona following 18 years of tremendous service, but the 34-year-old is not hanging up his boots just yet.
The Spaniard has continued to play a prominent role under former teammate Xavi in Catalonia this season, but with a promising young midfield core coming through, the time is right for Busquets to move on. "Everything must come to an end," the midfielder said as he announced his departure to the Barça fans.
Thus, Busquets will leave the club following the expiration of his contract at the end of the season with the Spaniard receiving offers from Inter Miami over in the States, and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Busquets rejected a move to MLS in January, but it's not yet clear where his future lies beyond Barça.