Carles Busquets

Carles Busquets Barroso (Catalan: [busˈkɛts]; born 19 July 1967) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, mostly for Barcelona.

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Busquets was a FC Barcelona graduate who possessed very good technical skills for a player in his position, and he made his La Liga debut for the first team on 7 November 1993 in a 2–1 home win over Racing de Santander, going on to appear in the following two games. However, he was mostly back-up for Spanish international Andoni Zubizarreta during his first years; he did manage to feature in the 1990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup final in a 1–2 loss against Manchester United, with two goals from Mark Hughes.

After Zubizarreta left for Valencia CF Busquets played 69 league matches in two seasons combined, and was also on goal in the 4–0 thrashing of Manchester United in the group stage of 1994–95's UEFA Champions League, but during this period Barça failed to win any silverware. For the following campaigns he was again back-up, first to Portugal's Vítor Baía then Dutchman Ruud Hesp, and also clashed with new manager Louis van Gaal.

Until his retirement in October 2002, Busquets played a further four seasons with neighbouring UE Lleida, spending two apiece in Segunda División and Segunda División B. Afterwards he joined Barcelona's coaching staff, and worked with the goalkeepers.

Busquets' son, Sergio, also a product of Barcelona's youth system, was promoted to the main squad for 2008–09, playing as a defensive midfielder. He reached the national team the following year, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as a starter.

• La Liga: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99
• Copa del Rey: 1996–97, 1997–98
• Supercopa de España: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996
• European Cup: 1991–92; Runner-up 1993–94
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996–97; Runner-up 1990–91
• UEFA Super Cup: 1992, 1997