Barcelona’s veteran midfield maestro Sergio Busquets could be plotting a new chapter in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, according to ESPN. The 34-year-old veteran is reportedly in discussions that could see him join the American side, with attention also turning toward Saudi clubs Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal as potential alternatives.
Sources close to the situation say Busquets has been presented with a more lucrative package by Saudi clubs, adding another layer to a decision that already involves familiar ties and career milestones built over nearly two decades in Barcelona’s midfield. The possibility of a move to Florida would place Busquets alongside Messi, whose deal with Inter Miami has already captured global headlines and potential implications for the Spanish star’s long-term plans. The two players share a history of success and a deep understanding on the field, which could help Inter Miami solidify a midfield engine and sharpen their attack with Messi drawing defenders and creating space for teammates.
Busquets has long been a central figure at Barcelona, becoming a symbol of the club’s distinctive passing game and resilient midfield balance. His formal departure from the club is pending, with his contract set to expire on June 30, leaving him free to choose the next step in a career that has stretched from the academy days to the first team since 2006. In that time, Busquets has lifted numerous domestic titles, including eight Copa del Rey trophies, and claimed the UEFA Champions League crown on three occasions. He has also been a crucial contributor to Spain’s national team, playing a pivotal role in the triumphs at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012 on home soil, cementing his status as one of the defining midfielders of his generation.
Should Busquets opt to move to Inter Miami, he would join a growing roster under a project that aims to raise the profile of American soccer and compete at a higher level in North American football. The connection with Messi could influence the decision, given how their on-field chemistry helped Barcelona dominate European competition for years and how Messi’s presence in the MLS has energized fan interest, sponsorship, and media attention across the United States and Canada. A move to the United States would also align with broader trends among veteran players seeking fresh opportunities in a league that continues to attract top talents and increasingly offers competitive salaries alongside attractive lifestyle benefits.
While the possibility of Busquets departing for the United States remains a topic of active discussion, the competing offers from Saudi Arabia illustrate the global demand for his expertise. Saudi clubs have not been shy about pursuing high-profile midfielders and playmakers, promising substantial financial terms and the chance to compete in a growing football landscape closer to the Gulf region’s expanding football ambitions. For Busquets, the decision will weigh not only financial considerations but also the personal and professional balance of playing style, city, league competitiveness, and the chance to extend his career at the highest levels while shaping a new generation of players around him.
Throughout his Barcelona tenure, Busquets has established himself as a metronome in a system that prizes poise, vision, and press resistance. He began his journey with the Catalan giants as a teenager and matured into a captaincy-caliber leader who could orchestrate the tempo of a match with calm authority. In addition to his domestic accolades, his role in Madrid’s era of domestic dominance and European campaigns has left an indelible mark on the club’s history. For fans and analysts alike, his potential move is not merely a transfer rumor but a reflection of the evolving landscape of professional football where pathways between Europe, North America, and the Middle East are increasingly fluid and consequential.
As negotiations develop, observers will watch how Busquets integrates into the tactical plans of Inter Miami, how the team’s midfield configuration adapts to his style, and how his presence could influence Messi’s future with the club. The broader implication is a MLS that continues to attract widely recognized names, enhancing competition and drawing greater attention from sponsors, broadcasters, and soccer enthusiasts across North America. In this ongoing saga, Busquets remains a defining figure whose choices will resonate with fans of Barcelona, supporters of the Spanish national team, and followers of Inter Miami’s ambitious project alike.
In the meantime, Busquets’ expiration date at Barcelona underscores the end of an era for a player who helped shape a generation of football in Catalonia and beyond. The discussion surrounding his next destination—whether in the United States, Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere—reflects a broader shift in the global football market, where experience, leadership, and tactical intelligence continue to command premium value on the field and in the boardroom. Fans and analysts alike anticipate a decision that could redefine the trajectory of a storied career while signaling the next chapter in an ever-evolving footballing landscape.
Former Barcelona manager Xavi has previously teased that Messi wants to step out of the spotlight from time to time, a sentiment that may intersect with Busquets’ choices as both players navigate the twilight of their illustrious careers. The dynamic around Inter Miami, Messi, and potential signings like Busquets points to a broader narrative about how North American teams are positioning themselves to compete at higher echelons and how a new generation of stars is reshaping the global game. The coming weeks will reveal whether the midfield architect of Barcelona will anchor a United States club or explore other lucrative routes that his wealth of experience can illuminate on and off the pitch.