Busquets reunites with Messi at Inter Miami

America After Lionel Messi, MLS club Inter Miami announced the signing of midfielder Sergio Busquets on a free transfer.

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

At the end of the video, Inter Miami confirms the signing of Busquets with the words "Busi" - the Spanish midfielder's nickname - spray-painted in graffiti style.

In early May, Busquets confirmed that he would leave Barca when his contract expired, despite coach Xavi's persuasion to stay for another year. The 34-year-old midfielder rejected several high-paying offers from Saudi Arabia to join Inter Miami and reunite with his close friend Messi. The contract between the two sides runs until the summer of 2025, with an option to extend for another year.

Busquets, who joined Barca's first team in 2008, played alongside Messi at Camp Nou until the Argentine joined PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2021. The pair won every title together with Barca, including three Champions Leagues in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

In addition to Messi and Busquets, Inter Miami could recruit another former Barca player, Jordi Alba. Similar to 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 Spain, Alba will decide his future in the coming weeks. In addition to Inter Miami, the 34-year-old defender also received offers from Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Saudi Arabian clubs.

On June 19, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas sparked rumors that Alba might soon reunite with Busquets and Messi when he posted on Twitter an image 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 Barca. Photo: EPA — Busquets and Messi during their time at Barca. Photo: *EPA*

The US representative is also targeting another former Barca player, Luis Suarez. But the deal is unlikely to happen because the Uruguayan striker has a contract with Brazilian club Gremio until December 2024, and is said to be considering retirement at the age of 36 due to a persistent knee injury.

Inter Miami are also said to be interested in Angel Di Maria - Messi's teammate on the Argentina national team. But the 35-year-old winger is said to have reached an agreement to return to Benfica after his contract with Juventus expires on June 30.

Hong Duy

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