Some friendships are just meant to be legendary. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets haven't just been teammates – they've rewritten the history books together.
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has confirmed something special. This iconic duo has played more matches together than any other pair in football history. That's right – more than anyone, ever.
The numbers tell an incredible story. Messi and Busquets shared the pitch in 653 official matches throughout their careers. That's not just a record – it's a testament to their chemistry and longevity at the highest level.
From Barcelona Glory to Miami Magic
The bulk of their partnership came at Barcelona, where they were practically inseparable. Between 2008 and 2021, they played 569 matches together across 13 consecutive seasons. They dominated Spanish and European football during this golden era.
After going their separate ways for a bit, fate brought them back together. From 2023 to 2025, they reunited at Inter Miami in MLS, adding another 84 matches to their tally. The magic clearly hadn't faded one bit.
Want some perspective on how rare this is? Only four pairs in football history have played more than 600 games together. Busquets actually appears twice in the top rankings – he also played 620 matches with Gerard Piqué (533 at Barcelona, 87 with Spain).
Trophy Cabinet Overflowing
This partnership wasn't just about showing up – it was about winning. Together, they collected 33 official titles. Let that sink in for a moment.
At Barcelona, they won eight LaLiga titles, three Champions League trophies, and three Club World Cups. In Miami, they kept the winning tradition alive with the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup in December.
The record-setting run came to an end when Busquets announced his retirement after winning the MLS Cup on December 6. Meanwhile, Messi has committed to Inter Miami until 2028, so there's still plenty more to come from the Argentine legend.
For bettors watching Inter Miami, this changes things significantly. Losing both Busquets and Jordi Alba means the team will look different in 2025. They'll still have Messi's brilliance, but the Spanish defensive stability is gone. That could impact their odds as they defend their MLS Cup title.
Inter Miami kicks off their 2025 campaign on February 21 against Los Angeles FC at the LA Memorial Coliseum. They'll also face Independiente del Valle in a friendly on February 26 – a match that was rescheduled after Messi dealt with a hamstring strain.
The team will also inaugurate their new stadium this season. It's a fresh chapter for Miami, but one without some familiar faces who helped write their recent success story.
