Busquets reunites with Messi at Inter Miami.

USA : Following Lionel Messi, MLS club Inter Miami announced the signing of midfielder Sergio Busquets on a free transfer.

On the afternoon of June 23rd, Washington time, Inter Miami posted a short video on Twitter quoting praise from coach Vicente del Bosque, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.

At the end of the video, Inter Miami confirmed the signing of Busquets with the word "Busi" - the Spanish midfielder's nickname - written in graffiti style.

Inter Miami signs Busquets. — Inter Miami announces Busquets.

In early May, Busquets confirmed his departure from Barca upon the expiration of his contract, despite coach Xavi's attempts to persuade him to stay for another year. The 34-year-old midfielder rejected numerous lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia to join Inter Miami and reunite with his close friend Messi. The contract between the two parties runs until summer 2025, with an option to extend for one year.

Busquets, from his time with the Barca first team in 2008, played alongside Messi at Camp Nou until the Argentinian star joined PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2021. The two stars won every title together with Barca, including three Champions League titles in 2009, 2011, and 2015.

Besides Messi and Busquets, Inter Miami could sign another former Barca player, Jordi Alba. Like Busquets, the Spanish defender announced his departure from Camp Nou when the transfer window opened last month.

According to ESPN , after winning the UEFA Nations League with the Spanish national team, Alba will finalize his future in the coming weeks. Besides Inter Miami, the 34-year-old defender has also received offers from Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and clubs in Saudi Arabia.

On June 19th, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas fueled rumors that Alba might be reuniting with Busquets and Messi when he posted an image on Twitter of three pink MLS club jerseys, along with the message "coming soon" and the hashtag "no caption needed".

Busquets and Messi during their time at Barcelona. Photo: EPA — Busquets and Messi during their time at Barcelona. Photo: *EPA*

The American representatives also targeted another former Barca player, Luis Suarez. However, the deal is unlikely to happen because the Uruguayan striker has a contract with Brazilian club Gremio until December 2024, and is reportedly considering retirement at the age of 36 due to a persistent knee injury.

Inter Miami are reportedly eyeing Angel Di Maria – Messi's teammate on the Argentina national team. However, the 35-year-old winger is said to have reached an agreement to return to Benfica after his contract with Juventus expires on June 30th.

Hong Duy

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