FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.07.2009 12:34

Busquets enjoys happy birthday

Edgar Fornós

Sergio Busquets celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday at the end of a memorable year that has seen him break in to FC Barcelona’s first team and earn a call-up to play for Spain.

Just over 12 months ago, the midfielder was helping Barça B gain promotion from la Tercera to la Segunda Bunder coach Pep Guardiola. A season on and the Blaugrana starlet has risen to prominence under the same coach, but in Barça’s first-team as he helped them to win a unique treble of trophies.

Moving up

Almost as soon as he took the reins of the full squad, Guardiola wanted Busquets to make the step up and made the Badia-born playmaker a regular in training sessions and then in the team. After impressing with Barça B in 2007-08, Busquets has not looked back after making his debut last term.

Successful feeling

Despite his young age, Busquets has shown that he can handle the pressure at important moments in the season. Playing against Manchester United in the final of the Champions League he remained as calm as he did when facing Athletic Club de Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey.

International experience

The success of the FC Barcelona team last season saw Busquets given a chance to play for Spain and he was included in the squad for the Confederations Cup in South Africa last month.