Lionel Messi's greatest ally QUITS football at 37 - as world's greatest player's own retirement looms

Barcelona and Spain legend Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from football at the end of the season. 

The 37-year-old was part of all-conquering Blaugrana and La Roja sides of the late 2000s and earlier 2010s that revolutionised the game with a play-style now known as tiki-taka. 

Alongside his compatriots Andreas Iniesta and Xavi, Busquets formed arguably the greatest midfield three in history and enjoyed tremendous success, winning all major honours, including the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Spanish title. 

But it is his relationship with Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi that would come to define the latter years of his career, with the pair continuing in Catalan long after many of their colleagues had departed before reuniting at MLS with Inter Miami. 

Busquets announced his impending retirement on Instagram on Friday, writing: 'Thank you all, and thank you to football for so much. You will always be part of this beautiful story.

'I feel it's time to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. I've enjoyed this incredible story for almost 20 years, the one I always dreamed of.'

Busquets was a key, yet often overlooked, cog in the Barcelona machine that reigned supreme for the best part of a decade. He made a staggering 722 appearances for the Catalan club during a 15-year tenure that stretched from 2008 to 2023. 

Indeed, only Messi and Xavi, with 778 and 767 appearances respectively, have featured in more matches for the Spanish giants. 

Busquets is also the player who has played alongside the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner most often. The pair has taken to the pitch 640 times in matches for Barca and Inter Miami.