Toronto FC coach pays tribute to retiring Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets

TORONTO — Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser paid tribute to Sergio Busquets on Friday after the stylish Inter Miami defensive midfielder announced he is retiring at the end of the season.

“Arguably the best in his position ever to play there,” said Fraser, a former two-time MLS Defender of the Year.

The 37-year-old Spaniard joined Miami in 2023 after 15 seasons with Barcelona. The former Barca captain’s resume includes winning the 2010 World Cup, Champions League (three times), La Liga title (nine times), FIFA Club World Cup (three times) and Copa del Rey seven times. of Miami

He won 143 caps for Spain.

“I go back to the 2011 Barcelona team as the best team I’ve ever seen,” said Fraser. “In terms of decision-making, in terms of starting passes and final passes, he’s been excellent.”

Fraser recalled a conversation he had with star striker Thierry Henry, a former Barcelona player, more than a decade ago when both were at the New York Red Bulls.

“He was the one who said to me … ‘You see Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta and you see how good players they are.’ He goes ‘Busquets is exactly as good. He just plays deeper and you don’t see it quite as much.’

“Obviously 10 years later, the guy’s gone on and had an incredible career, continues to do great things. He will always be remembered as one of the best.

Toronto midfielder Alonso Coello, a fellow Spaniard, called Busquets “the best defensive midfielder in history.”

“He’s the one that I grew up watching and I tried to learn a lot from,” added the 25-year-old Coello. “It’s a sad moment, I think, for the people like me that enjoy watching players like him play and learning from him. I’ll miss watching him.”

Miami coach Javier Mascherano said he expects Busquets to transition to coaching, although he said he was not sure when or with whom.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2025.