Some friendships are just special, aren't they? Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have now been officially recognized for something incredible. They've played more matches together than any other pair in football history.
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has confirmed it. These two legends shared the pitch for an amazing 653 official matches. That's not just impressive – it's a world record.
The bulk of those games came during their time at Barcelona. Between 2008 and 2021, they played together in 569 matches over 13 consecutive seasons. They won everything there was to win during those years.
The Numbers Behind the Record
After Busquets left Barcelona, many thought their partnership was over. But football had other plans. The duo reunited at Inter Miami in 2023, adding another 84 matches to their tally before Busquets retired in December 2024.
Only four pairs in football history have reached 600 games together. Interestingly, Busquets holds the second spot too – he played 620 matches with Gerard Piqué. German legends Gerd Müller and Sepp Maier shared 611 games, while Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer also hit that mark.
The success they enjoyed together is staggering. Messi and Busquets won 33 official titles as teammates. That includes eight LaLiga championships, three Champions League trophies, and three Club World Cups at Barcelona.
What This Means for Inter Miami
In Miami, they added three more trophies: the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup. But Busquets announced his retirement after that final trophy, ending this historic partnership forever.
For Inter Miami backers, this changes things. The team loses a midfield maestro who helped them dominate MLS. Messi will continue until 2028, but without Busquets and Jordi Alba, the squad looks different heading into 2026.
Inter Miami opens their season on February 21 against Los Angeles FC. They'll also play a rescheduled friendly against Independiente del Valle on February 26. Plus, they're inaugurating a brand new stadium this season.
The defending champions will need to prove they can maintain their winning form without these Spanish legends. For bettors considering MLS futures, Miami's depth without Busquets becomes a key factor in assessing their title defense chances.
