Sergio Busquets, a Spanish midfielder and 2010 World Cup champion, retired from international play on Friday. The 34-year-old Barcelona stalwart said on his social media accounts that it was time to say goodbye to the national team after nearly 15 years and 143 games.
Busquets, who was also a member of the team that won the 2012 European championship, is the final member of the 2010 squad to retire from international competition.
He served as captain of the 2022 World Cup team, which lost to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16 of the tournament.
He represented Spain more frequently than only his 2010 teammates Iker Casillas (167) and Sergio Ramos (180).
It has been an honor to stand up for my national team and contribute to its ascent to European and World championships. To have served as captain, to have participated in so many games with some success, and to always strive to do my best,” Busquets wrote.
From this point forward, Busquets declared that he would be “simply another fan offering my unconditional support.”
In the run-up to the South African World Cup, where Spain stunned spectators with their tika-taka passing game, he made his international debut.
Busquets had a key role in Barcelona’s victories at both the World Cup and the Euros alongside his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
Due to his vast history, according to Luis Rubiales, head of the Spanish Football Federation, “he will transcend the generations.”
