Following his decision to leave the international game, Sergio Busquets received praise from Xavi, who hailed him as one of the best midfielders in history.
Busquets, who led La Roja in each of their four games during the World Cup in Qatar, confirmed his retirement from Spain service on Friday.
Busquets’ blunder in a penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the round of 16 put an unseemly end to his illustrious career with Spain, where he made 143 games as a senior.
The Blaugrana manager thinks few players can match the effect of the 34-year-old, who played with his Barcelona teammate-turned-coach Xavi when Spain won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
“In the end, it’s a personal decision that you make when you feel the time is right,” Xavi told Barcelona’s website. “I wish him the best, now he will be able to rest more and focus on Barca.
“He is a player who has made history. He is one of the best midfielders that football has produced worldwide and, for sure, the best defensive midfielder in the history of Spain.”
Xavi on Sergio Busquets’s announcement that he is retiring from the Spain national team pic.twitter.com/pIga3KNy4f
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 16, 2022
Fellow Barcelona star Jordi Alba said Busquets will be “sorely missed” by Spain, who will be led by Luis de la Fuente in Euro 2024 qualifying after Luis Enrique left his role as head coach.
“You have always been a great leader for all of us who are part of the team, both in good times and in bad,” Alba wrote on Twitter.
“After so many training sessions and games together in the national team, today you say goodbye and you will be sorely missed, friend.
“Thank you for what you have contributed to us and for everything you have given.”