There was a period in Sergio Busquets personal and professional life that he was neither on Facebook nor Twitter nor Instagram. Social media was anathema to him. Indeed, he abhorred the idea of people creating fake profiles to do whatever pleased them online.
“If it was up to me, I’d get rid of Twitter to stop the fake profiles and people saying and doing what they want,” he admitted on Cadena Ser. For Sergio Busquets at that point in time, the dangers of social media greatly outweighed the benefits. He would rather not upload a photo of himself in training for likes and retweets, than do it and receive vitriolic abuse. He would rather not use social media as a tool to garner football sponsorships, than to use it and attract corrosive remarks.
In February 2019, however, the footballing world was pleasantly surprised when Sergio Busquets finally signed up on Twitter. “I’m here,” he announced. To this very day, the 34-year-old continues to post on Instagram, even if scarcely. But has never tweeted since May 2019.
The quiet leader
Unlike many other sportsmen and women who regularly post online, Busquets has never really been a social media merchant. And to a certain extent, his use of social media portrays him as someone who really doesn’t care much for outside validation. Perhaps, it’s thanks to this primal trait not to seek fulfilment outwardly but inwardly that has shaped how Busquets plays the game of football.
And so instead of selfishness, he’s most selfless, eager to perform sacrificial acts. Rather than pursue personal glory, he works in harmony with the rest of the team for the greater good. Perhaps this could explain why despite Busquets being one of the greatest DMs in history. His brilliance in games is often talked about as an afterthought. In the past, it was always how integral Messi, Iniesta and Xavi were to Barça, before recognition shifted a little to Busquets and co. These days recognition is reserved for Pedri, Gavi and De Jong, but hardly Busquets.
Last Wednesday when Barca played Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarín, Sergio Busquets was nothing short of vintage. He played the game as if he were not a day over 25, as if he were not a 34-year-old veteran in the twilight of his career. He made vital tackles. Busi dictated play. He sprayed passes into dangerous attacking areas. His clever off-ball movement created space for things to happen. Busquets may not give you plenty goals or assists. But he’s crucial in how the team transitions from defence to attack, how possession is retained and recycled.
Finished player?
As a result, he’s enjoying some of his better days at the club. He’s playing football the way he knows best. This was the case in the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid. And especially against Real Betis last Wednesday where he was simply unplayable. Overall, the Barcelona skipper has churned out impressive, delectable performances over the course of this campaign.
It should be noted that Sergio Busquets came under heavy criticisms a few years back. The general consensus among Barça supporters was that in his 30s, he’s far past his prime and not up to the task. And that the Barça midfield needed new blood than ever before. The baton was expected to pass on to De Jong. And yet, Xavi has proved to the world that what is old is not necessarily redundant. And that with the right strategy, new blood and old blood can work in perfect harmony.
Sergio Busquets might not be at Barça next season. He’s clearly at the wrong side of age 30. But once he’s no more at the club and is retired, he will be remembered by many as one of the greatest defensive midfielders to play this sport.
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