Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has congratulated Barcelona great Sergio Busquets on his retirement as a player.
The 34-year-old played 191 matches under Guardiola at the Camp Nou, lifting three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies among a plethora of silverware won together.
Busquets will go down in Barcelona folklore as part of the formidable midfield trio of Andreas Iniesta and current club boss Xavi that dominated domestic and European football in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
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The one-club legend has chalked up an incredible 722 appearances for Barcelona and finishes his career with nine Spanish league titles, three Champions League winners medals and seven Copa del Reys among 32 major honours.
He also goes down as a World Cup winner for his part in Spain’s 2010 triumph before guiding them to the Euro 2012 trophy. City boss Guardiola could not attend his farewell ceremony at the Nou Camp this week as he prepares for two huge finals.
But the Catalan coach recorded a video that was played out on a big screen and made a prediction about his future role in football. In it, he said: “You and I know what this business is about; these grounds in Catalonia.
“Congratulations on your career at Barca, which we love so much. I know you'll be a coach sometime. I challenge you to be on the bench. We'll be face-to-face and you'll have no chance!
“It was a pleasure to be with you for five years and congratulations again. All the good things that happened to you, you deserved it all. A big kiss.”
Former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi also sent a video message, saying: “I'm very sorry for not being there on this special occasion for you and your family. It was an honour to spend so many years with you, on and off the pitch.”
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