One of the biggest figures in FC Barcelona’s recent history is coming home. Sergio Busquets has returned to the Catalan club three years after saying goodbye as a player, although he is now beginning a completely different chapter.

The former midfielder, who retired less than a year ago after ending his career with Inter Miami, has taken his first steps into a new role within football.

A return away from the pitch

Busquets joined the Barça Atlètic coaching staff this Monday while continuing his training to become a coach.

The former Spain international will work alongside Juliano Belletti, the current head coach of the reserve team, as he begins gaining experience from the sidelines at a club he has known almost from the ground up.

From La Masia to becoming a legend

Busquets came through Barcelona’s academy before establishing himself in the first team and becoming one of the key players in one of the most successful generations in the club’s history.

He spent 15 seasons with Barcelona’s first team, becoming a midfield reference before bringing his time at the club to an end in 2023. He then spent two seasons with Inter Miami, once again sharing a dressing room with former teammates such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba.

Now, at 38 years old, his return also represents a return to his roots, although with responsibilities very different from those he had during his playing career.

His first steps toward the dugout

Joining Barça Atlètic will allow Busquets to experience the day-to-day work of a coaching staff from the inside while he completes his training as a coach.

Barcelona’s reserve team has already begun its preparations with a 2-0 win over L'Hospitalet, thanks to goals from Shane Kluivert and Ignasi Quer, and will continue its preseason with a behind-closed-doors friendly against CE Europa at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

For Busquets, this will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the same place where he built much of his legacy, but this time with his attention focused on what happens from the other side of the touchline.