Why Is Sergio Busquets Underrated?

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Sergio Busquets is a household name in the world of football. He has been an integral part of FC Barcelona’s success over the years and is widely considered as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. 

He’s also played over 140 games for the Spanish national team over in 12 years, winning both the World Cup and European Championships. Despite all of this, Busquets remains one of the most underrated players in the game, and we’re going to highlight the reasons why he’s so great.

Why is Busquets Underrated?

Sergio Busquets has been an underrated footballer for the majority of his career because he was overlooked when playing alongside Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. He also doesn’t score many goals or get many assists, which means he rarely gets the headlines.

Busquets’ Unique Skill Set

Playing as a defensive midfielder, Sergio Busquets is known for his exceptional positional awareness, tactical intelligence, and ball-winning abilities. He is able to anticipate opposition movements and reads the game with ease, making it easier for him to win back possession.

This has allowed Barcelona to quickly transition from defence to attack over the years, making them a formidable force on the pitch.

In addition, Busquets is a master of the simple pass. He has the ability to keep possession and move the ball effectively, allowing Barcelona and Spain to maintain control over the game. In addition to this, he’s a strong aerial presence, making him an effective player in both attack and defence.

Busquets’ Impact on FC Barcelona

Busquets has been a key part of Barcelona’s success over the years. He has played an instrumental role in midfield, helping them win numerous titles, including the Spanish La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He has also been a consistent performer at club level, making over 400 appearances for Barcelona, showing no signs of slowing down. Busquets’ presence in the team has allowed the more attack-minded players, such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, to focus on scoring goals, knowing that their midfield is in safe hands with him, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.

Busquets’ Unflashy Style

Another reason for Busquets’ underrated status is his unflashy playing style. He is certainly not the type of player to score spectacular goals or make dazzling runs. Instead, the Spaniard likes to operate quietly in the background, breaking up opposition attacks and starting counterattacks with simple but effective passes.

This lack of glamour means that Busquets is often overlooked in favour of more eye-catching players like Xavi and Iniesta.

The Busquets vs Xavi and Iniesta Debate

When analysing Barcelona’s midfield, Busquets is often compared to club legends Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. However, this comparison is unfair to Busquets. While Xavi and Iniesta were exceptional attacking midfielders, Busquets operates in a different role and boasts a different set of skills.

It’s important to recognize that without Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta would have struggled to exert their influence on the game.

The fact that Busquets has played in a midfield three with two of the best attacking midfielders ever has meant that he is often overlooked in terms of his ability. Football enthusiasts would say that Busquets is responsible for doing the “dirty work” in midfield.

This is in comparison to Xavi and Iniesta’s responsibilities, whereby they chip in with both goals and assists, and bring a bit of flair to the football field. Their acts have therefore been more memorable than Busquets’ over the years, meaning Busquets has been underrated.

Busquets’ Theatrics

One area of Busquets game that might mean he is underrated is his theatrics on the field. This can take the attention away from any great performances he’s had during matches, meaning he is remembered more for his theatrics than his world-class abilities.

Busquets is a master of diving, otherwise known as “flopping”. Being a defensive midfielder in the centre of the pitch means that there are plenty of opportunities for the player to do this, too, being involved in plenty of tackles.

A prime example of him diving during a match was in the 2010 UEFA Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. Following a challenge from Thiago Motta, Busquets went down theatrically. The referee went on to send off Motta for the challenge, showing him a dubious red card.

Busquets was clearly faking the injury, as he was caught on camera having a quick glance to see if the referee was booking Motta. You can watch this moment here:

He quickly gained a reputation for his theatrics, being classed as one of the biggest divers in the game. This has tarnished his career, leaving him an underrated footballer.

The Unrecognised Role of Defence

Another factor that contributes to Busquets’ underrated status is the lack of recognition given to defensive players in general. Football is a sport where goals are what capture the headlines, so it’s not surprising that players who excel in defence are often overlooked.

However, it’s important to remember that without a solid defence, a team is unlikely to succeed. Busquets’ ability to read the game, make interceptions, and win back possession is invaluable to his team, and yet, it often goes unnoticed.

An Underrated Genius

Despite his unflashy style and the lack of recognition for defensive players, Sergio Busquets is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. His positional sense, tactical awareness, and exceptional passing ability have made him a key player for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

Busquets’ intelligence on the pitch is unmatched, and his ability to dictate the tempo of a game is a testament to his quality as a player. His consistency for over a decade should be considered, too, as he rarely has a bad game.

Honours

Despite being underrated, Sergio Busquets has racked up an incredible number of honours during his football career:

• World Cup (2010)
• European Championships (2012)
• Champions League (2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)
• FIFA Club World Cup (2010, 2012, 2016)
• La Liga Champion (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19)
• UEFA Supercup Winner (2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16)
• Spanish Cup Winner (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2020/21)
• Spanish Super Cup Winner (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17, 2018/19, 2022/23)

There are only a select few individuals who can say they’ve won as many honours as Busquets during their careers. This is testament to him being a great player who has been a mainstay in both Barcelona and Spanish national teams for over a decade.

Busquets’ Legacy

It’s no secret that Sergio Busquets is one of the most important players in Barcelona’s history. He has played a vital role in helping the team achieve a lot of success and has cemented his place as a club legend.

When he retires, the Spaniard will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time. He will be remembered for his exceptional skills, unwavering commitment to the team, and his impact on Barcelona’s success. Despite being underrated, Busquets has built up an impressive legacy at Barcelona and in the world of football.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sergio Busquets is a player who deserves more recognition and praise for his contributions to the game of football. Although he is one of the most underrated players in the world, his impact on FC Barcelona speaks for itself.

It’s time that he receives the recognition that he deserves as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time.

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