The situation
Sergio Busquets has announced on his social networks his retirement as an international player with the Spanish National Team . The 34-year-old Catalan leaves La Roja after playing 143 games and as one of the players who managed to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first and only so far that Spain can wear on his chest. In addition, he also lifted the UEFA Euro 2012 from Ukraine and Poland . Busquets made his debut at the age of 20, in 2009 , with a Spanish victory against Turkey in Istanbul that corrected the Spanish qualification precisely for the 2010 World Cup. Busi scored two goals with the national team and entered the club of 100 caps in 2017. In Qatar , Busquets played his fourth World Cup, thus reaching Andoni Zubizarreta, Fernando Hierro, Íker Casillas, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Ramos. He also equaled Ramos and Casillas, with 17 World Cup duels . He has also played three Euro Cups (2012, 2016 and 2020) and two Confederations Cups. The player announced in this way, with a statement on his networks, his departure from La Roja. “ I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 matches, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team . I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey. From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy until the last second. I would also like to thank Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro and Robert Moreno for their trust, as well as all their staffs. And of course, each and every one of my teammates, with whom I have fought to try to get the team where it deserved, with more or less successfully but always giving everything and with the greatest of pride. I do not want to forget any member of the expedition, who, being in the background, have been just as important (physios, doctors, kit men, delegates, nutritionists, staff, press, security, travel, etc…) and all the people and workers who have crossed my path and have made it so special. Also to presidents, managers, sports directors, and to those who, in one way or another, have been part of the federation. To all the followers, for the daily support received and especially when things did not turn out as we expected. That is when you are most needed and most united you have to be. To all of you, thank you! And of course, most importantly, my family. For supporting me at all times and in all my decisions and sharing this path while being away for many days and always making me feel close so that I could give my best”.
Rubiales: “He is an iconic figure”
Luis Rubiales , president of the Federation, assessed the departure of the Barça player in this way: “ Sergio Busquets is an iconic figure in Spanish football, an exemplary athlete, an irreproachable professional and an indisputable leader . I have known Sergio and his family since he was 11 years old, when I shared a dressing room with his father at Lleida. He unites me with a great friendship with his parents and sometimes my heart can make my words less objective: I don’t mean it either, Sergio is a player who will transcend generations due to his immense legacy”. Rubiales highlighted the role of Busquets in the locker room: “ Sergio is a silent, serene leader and admired by all for his humility and naturalness. Champion of everything, he has drawn an immense career that is already in the history of football . But there is a more important question: the human profile of him. In that, he is also unbeatable. Busquets deserves to decide when and how and our only path is gratitude. Thank you, Sergio, for your dedication and loyalty to the team, you are one of the most important assets of Spanish football”.
