Lionel Messi reacts to Sergio Busquets’ retirement, recalls shared history at Barcelona and Inter Miami

Sergio Busquets announced today that he is ending his professional career after nearly two decades at the highest level of global soccer. The news sparked reactions from numerous stars, including his longtime teammate at Barcelona and Inter Miami, Lionel Messi.

Messi responded with a heartfelt comment on the Instagram post where Busquets made the announcement, offering emotional words for the Spanish midfielder: “Together almost from start to finish… It was a luxury to have enjoyed your football, Busi. And we still have a little more to go!”

With this brief but heartfelt message, Messi alluded to the parallel paths their careers have taken. The two began their journeys with Barcelona, with the Argentine forward turning professional first at age 17 in 2004, followed by Sergio in 2008.

From that point on, Messi and Busquets became key figures in the Pep Guardiola-led Barcelona squad that captured two UEFA Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011. Later, under head coach Luis Enrique, they once again conquered Europe in 2015.

In total, they won 30 titles together with the Catalan side, sharing the field during that time with stars like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. That partnership between Sergio and Lionel lasted 13 years, until Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.

The reunion at Inter Miami

Messi’s two years in France coincided with Busquets’ final two seasons at Barcelona. At the end of the 2022–23 campaign, the Spanish midfielder announced his decision to leave the club and chose Inter Miami as his next destination—joining at the same time as Leo.

In the summer of 2023, within just a few weeks, the Herons became the center of attention in Major League Soccer. They not only secured the signing of a global superstar like Messi, but also surrounded him with other Barcelona legends like Busquets and Jordi Alba. They even brought in Gerardo Martino as coach.

That strategy paid off almost immediately. Just a month later, Inter Miami won the first title in club history: the Leagues Cup. Later, strengthened by the addition of Luis Suarez—another Barcelona icon—they captured the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and secured a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, placing the club in a historic position.

Messi dreams of an MLS title

Although Sergio Busquets announced today that he will retire from soccer, it won’t take effect immediately. The midfielder will continue playing with Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 season, giving him one last chance to add another title to his résumé and end his career on a high note.

When Messi, at the end of his message, says “we still have a little more to go,” he is referring exactly to that. The Herons clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs this week, keeping their hopes alive for a first-ever MLS Cup title.

But that’s not all. With two games in hand compared to most of their rivals, Inter Miami sit just five points behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union. That means, with a strong finish to the regular season, they could also be serious contenders for the 2025 Supporters’ Shield.