“I’m leaving as I want, to be an important player, to be captain and to win titles”

After fifteen seasons in which he won 32 titles, Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets is aiming for one last adventure abroad before he hangs up his boots.

In an interview with EFE, ‘Busi’ looks back on his career as a Barça player and expects to be eager to train as a coach after his retirement and start a new phase on the bench.

HIS FAREWELL AT THE CAMP NOU SPOTIFY

“A lot of people have told me he didn’t seem very excited, but he was a little excited. Not so much that I cried a lot, but a few tears escaped me. What happens is that on the level of emotions you are much happier, fuller, enjoying the moment and proud than not embarrassed, sad or excited”.

HIS CALM CHARACTER

“Certainly, it comes from the family, although more from my mother, who is calmer than my father. Maybe the first few years I was a bit more nervous, more rebellious in the quiet, but over the years I’ve calmed down more. I gained experience and also, being a father and having stability calms you down a bit”.

THEIR COACHES AT BARSA

“I learned a lot from all of them and they all respected me a lot and gave me a lot of confidence. I am very grateful”.

“Pep (Guardiola) was the first, I had him in the subsidiary for a year and he was the one who gave me the opportunity to start all this and live the first years of my career, which I think are the most were spectacular.” in the history of the club, for everything we have achieved and the way we have done it”.

“I also learned from Tito (Vilanova), who was on Pep’s ‘staff’ and continued with that idea, although unfortunately he couldn’t stay much longer.”

“From Luis Enrique, who also had him in the national team and is a crack. A man who knows how to convey, very natural, and has very clear ideas.”

“Tatas (Martino) was a different kind of football, but he was very dedicated, always wanted to do new things, tried to have the ball and was committed to learning the methods we were used to here at Barca”.

“Valverde was a very natural lad, very sensible, very honest, who always had a very good command of the dressing room.”

“Quique (Setién) was in love with Barça, with a very guardiolista and a very demanding idea. What happens is that we were in a somewhat complicated situation there”.

“Koeman chose the youngsters and he was a very sincere coach and also with very clear ideas, although he also had to endure a difficult situation”.

“And Xavi has been a little light. With him, the club has also improved in all respects, because it was possible to sign. He has a very clear idea of ​​the Barsa style, the play of position. It grew out of my partner in the locker room, but it was clear to both of us from day one that we would conduct our relationship based on respect and the position each held. I think we’ve been intelligent and mature people and we’ve made it really easy for both of us.”

“They made me feel very important, but above every player is the club and the idea. There are many years with the same player with very clear circumstances in a very important position, but you don’t have to look for a new Busquets to a player with different characteristics and from there try to bind him to the style”.

HIS DECISION TO LEAVE BARSA

“It was not an easy decision because I was in the club of my life, in my house, with my family, with everything I needed. But I think it was time because I am leaving as I want, an important player , be captain and win titles”.

“Mentally, fifteen years at a club like Barcelona is not easy. And we also wanted to have a different family experience abroad, abroad.”

TO PLAY AGAIN WITH MESSI and JORDI ALBA

“I have several proposals and I would like to decide within three weeks. Many things have been said and I understand it is morbid. But the reality is that everyone is going to determine their future based on what is best for themselves and their family.”

“As of today, Jordi has left Barca, so have I and it is not yet known whether Leo will extend, so we are free, but I see it as difficult.” I don’t know if Leo will come back here or if he will go elsewhere. But I think it’s hard to get three players together anywhere.”

HIS LIGHTING IN THE DEFENSIVE PIVOT

“For me, Rodrigo is the best in his position right now. Besides, he’s in a team like City, which is very dominant and has great players and a great coach, and has everything to keep improving.”

“After Rodri, Zubimendi is one of those who can adapt best, because he has already played, in the lower categories of the national team and at Real Sociedad, a football similar to ours.”

“And Kimmich is the one who strikes me as the most different from all those who have come out because he is a player who has converted to that position.”

“And then there is the option of Nico (González), who we have on loan, who has left home and I think he has conditions. This loan (to Valencia) will certainly have helped him become a better player. and get some experience, and I think it should be given the chance, except it’s the cheapest option.”

HIS FUTURE ON THE BENCH

“Playing in a position that requires you to know a little bit about how to manage the team has influenced me and made me interested in becoming a coach. Preparing things, being in control. I’m going to get my coach card when I stop playing football and from there I think I’m going to try. I think I have the conditions, that I am qualified”.

ITS ABSENCE IN THE LISTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

“I’ve always had people’s recognition and I’ve preferred to enjoy playing and winning titles with my team, but no one likes to be recognized for their work and win one of these awards. to get”.

“I think I didn’t have it for two reasons. Firstly because there are good players and when you make a team of 11 the defensive midfielder is never in midfield. And secondly, that these awards also have a media component, a fan phenomenon, and I support everything.”

WHAT FOOTBALL GIVED HIM

“Football has given me a lot of joy, a lot of friends and unique moments. I always dreamed of becoming a footballer because it was my passion since I was little, what I experienced at home, in the family and what I will do with my friends did.

“It has given me a very full life, in the sense that I have achieved everything I set out to do, even much more. And especially the recognition and humane treatment with all the people I met”.

“My father always said to us: ‘you can be whatever you want, except goalkeepers, that bothers you a lot’. Ever since I was little, I always knew that I didn’t want to be a goalkeeper, that I wanted to be a player and wanted to score goals. Well, the goals, not so much now (laughs)”.

HIS ADVICE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYING AT BARSA

“I would like to tell them that they are privileged, that they appreciate where they are. Feeling that especially and giving the maximum. And in the end, it all depends on whether they want to be here. If they stay together in the dressing room, there is no better club than this one to be with and to win.”

HOW BARCELONISM WILL REMEMBER HIM

“I think people will remember me as a team player who has tried to make his teammates better, who has given everything for the club, who cannot be blamed and who has always lived through thick and thin moments.”