Sergio Busquets, on service for Inter Miami, has become the eye of yet another storm. This time, an old flame was fanned into a blaze once more by former Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder in an interview with Ziggo Sports, a Dutch channel. In acidic tones, Sneijder termed Busquets a "crybaby" as he referred to several episodes when the two battled both in European tournaments and World Cups. The words of the Dutchman became a reason for much reaction and stirred up the old question: Is Busquets an intelligently indispensable player, or, as Sneijder put it, a pain in the field?
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Let's break down this issue to understand the impact brought about by such criticism and the role of Busquets in soccer now that he has gone to Major League Soccer, where other star players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez are playing.
History of Clashes and Accusations by Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder retired in 2019 after playing in European leagues and Qatar, cut to the chase when remembering his times with Busquets. The Dutchman and the Spaniard faced off during many decisive moments, such as two Champions League clashes between Inter Milan and Barcelona, plus two World Cup clashes, including that unforgettable 2010 final when Spain won the title over the Netherlands. Still fresh in his mind, Sneijder grumbled about how the Inter Miami midfielder always got on his nerves with his antics on the pitch.
The most fundamental criticism that Sneijder levels against Busquets relates to his incomplete adherence to the norms of sportsmanship. According to the Dutchman, Busquets was one of those players who couldn't stand being a victim and who would always make a show out of getting fouled. The literal quote was "a complete crybaby." He even referred to the celebrated incident between him and Thiago Motta during the semi-final of the 2010 Champions League campaign, where the Inter Milan player was red-carded after a slight brush with Busquets, which Sneijder felt was grossly overacted.
What's Behind Sneijder's Words?
This is neither the first criticism that Busquets has received nor will be the last, which has come from Sneijder regarding his style of play. The midfielder has always brought into the light his tactical intelligence, his skill of controlling the midfield, and controversies about his on-field behavior throughout his career. He has always been notorious for using the rules to his advantage, something many, like Sneijder, see as theatrical.
But is that a character flaw or only an expression of his astuteness? Players such as Busquets, who play right at the center of midfield, do have enormous responsibility. Very often, they don't possess the possibility of being physically overwhelming, as defenders and forwards can, so they need to recourses somewhere else. For Busquets, his game management, making the right decisions, and "manipulating" certain moments has become one of his keys to success.
Busquets in MLS: What Changes?
After more than ten years of service with Barcelona, 35-year-old Sergio Busquets will feature in MLS for Inter Miami. Not even the change of scenery has made controversies linked with his style of play disappear. If at Barcelona, his performances were targets of criticism from European players, today, with Messi and Luis Suárez, Busquets has emerged as one of the pillars of the Florida team.
Curiously enough, in MLS, still a league that is growing in competitiveness and technical level, Busquets became almost untouchable: the same precision he used to perform with in Europe, now he performs controlling Inter Miami's midfield. And in a league that has Messi's shadow cast large over everything, he stays in the background, doing what he does best: regulating the rhythm of the game, creating scoring chances, and, of course, stirring up some chaos, like picking up two yellow cards in 10 seconds and getting sent off in a July match against FC Cincinnati.
Irony of the "Crybaby" Label
The words by Sneijder definitely have a hint of irony in them. At the same time, he brands Busquets a "crybaby," although, truth be told, his protests are a back-handed recognition of the Spanish midfielder's efficiency. After all, not every player can eternally disturb their opponents psychologically. The confrontations between them in the pitch may have been headaching for Sneijder, but as for Busquets, all was part of the game plan. If there is one lesson that should be gleaned from this debate, it is that the Spanish midfielder did indeed know how to turn what everyone called his major weak points into an asset in his game.