Sergio Busquets is arguably Inter Miami’s most important outfield player, yet the midfielder was forced into an interesting position last year.
An injury crisis at center-back meant that the legendary Spanish midfielder was forced to play in central defense under Tata Martino, a decision that led to Yannick Bright thriving in the midfield for Inter Miami leading into the post-season.
With Inter Miami signing Gonzalo Lujan and set to bring in Maximiliano Falcon from Colo-Colo, though, the odds of Busquets returning to the backline are limited, with the veteran back in central midfield on Sunday against Club America.
Barring another injury crisis, Busquets looks set to return to his favored defensive midfield role for the 2025 season, and Mascherano has now shared what he plans to do with the former Spain international.
READ MORE: Get to know Sergio Busquets, the Inter Miami star who helped reshape soccer
Mascherano confirms Busquets will return to Inter Miami’s midfield
Speaking to reporters at this week’s open training session, the new Inter Miami manager shut down suggestions that Busquets could remain as a defender for the Herons next season, with a return to midfielder already being planned.
Mascherano said when asked if Busquets will return to central defense: “No, my idea is that he plays as little as possible [in central defense]. If at some point we need him, Busi will do it because he is a good player who has experience and can do it. But the idea is to use him as a central midfielder.”
With Inter Miami adding midfielder Telasco Segovia to their ranks to replace Diego Gomez, Busquets will be tasked with keeping things tidy and moving in the center of the park, a role the former FC Barcelona superstar has mastered throughout his legendary career.
How did Busquets perform as a center-back for Inter Miami?
Busquets made 40 appearances in all competitions for Inter Miami last season with ten of the midfielder’s outings coming in the center-back towards the end of the 2024 campaign.
| Sergio Buquets’ Inter Miami center-back stats | |
| Games played | 10 |
| Goals conceded | 16 |
| Clean sheets | 2 |
| Bookings | Two yellow cards/One red card |
Yet as per Busquets’ raw numbers from playing at the back last season, the 36-year-old midfielder was not best equipped to play the role under Martino, with the low-point coming in a 6-1 loss against FC Cincinnati where the veteran was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.
Indeed, Mascherano knows Inter Miami need to improve defensively if they’re to stand any chance of winning MLS Cup and going far in the FIFA Club World Cup, and Busquets will hope his new defenders can do a better job than he did at center-back going into the new season.