One-club man Busquets hoping to end his career at Barcelona
Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has spent his whole career at Barcelona and he does not expect to play for any other club before retiring.
Sergio Busquets says he plans to end his career at Barcelona. The Spain midfielder, a World Cup winner in 2010, came through Barcelona's academy and has racked up 500 appearances for the Catalan giants. He has won seven LaLiga titles, three Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups in that time, with Barça in contention for more silverware this term.
Nowhere like Barcelona
And the 30-year-old, who previously said he would only leave the Catalan club to play for Pep Guardiola at another club, is not considering following fellow midfielders Andrés Iniesta and Xavi in departing Camp Nou towards the end of their careers.
"I have never seen myself anywhere else," Busquets told Diario Sport. "I said what I said about Guardiola not because I saw myself anywhere else, but because I should have him in mind, as is normal. I've always said I won't be better off anywhere else. Me and the club are made for each other. I can enjoy being at home, at the best club in the world, with the best players, fighting for titles every year... winning the majority. There's practically nowhere else you can do that."
One career, one club
Asked if he expects to be a one-club man, he added: "I think I will be. It it true that in current football when players leave the top level in Europe they do have the chance to go to other exotic leagues, a bit different."
Guardiola led Barça to two of the Champions League titles Busquets has won at the club and the midfielder hailed the impact of the coach, now in charge of Premier League champions Manchester City. "It's clear that he knew me [from the B team], that he knew how I was as a player, but the impact was huge. He gave me the chance. He had confidence in me. He made me part of the best Barca in history, in a team with great players and I learned a lot to be a better player."
Lionel Messi has suggested Barcelona are prioritising the Champions League this year, with the club underachieving in Europe since their last title in 2014-15. "People took what he said to heart and got excited," Busquets added. "We have played well in the Champions League in a difficult group, but it's a complicated competition. We have in mind that in recent years we've not done well. When the knockout rounds start against the top teams, if you're not on form, you're out. That's happened to us recently and we have to be prepared because it's something we've lacked in recent years."
Top of the group
Ernesto Valverde's team have already qualified for the knockout round and will confirm top spot in Group B if they beat PSV on Wednesday.