Barcelona’s years-long search for a successor to Sergio Busquets may finally be over.
Thierry Henry: “With Rodri, Barça Have Found a New Busquets”
Thierry Henry, who played alongside the legendary midfielder at the Camp Nou, believes the club have found the closest possible heir in summer signing Rodri.
The French World Cup winner made the admission during a CBS Sports appearance, responding to Jamie Carragher’s question about whether Rodri surpasses Busquets.
Henry did not dodge the comparison. “I was just about to say that’s a great question,” he said.
“I would never have thought I’d see another Busquets. But today, with Rodri, Barça has found a new Busquets”.
Henry acknowledged the obvious distinction in individual accolades Busquets never won the Ballon d’Or, while Rodri has but stressed the transformative impact of the Spaniard’s presence.
“Yes, Busquets never won the Ballon d’Or, but with Rodri when he is fit the team is different,” Henry added.
The similarities between the two are unmistakable. Both possess outstanding positional intelligence, remain calm under pressure and control matches through intelligent distribution rather than reckless risk-taking.
Yet Rodri brings a different physical dimension, offering greater athleticism and power while carrying the ball more aggressively and contributing more regularly in the final third.
Many now describe him as “Busquets with more power” and a more complete midfielder.
Barcelona signed the 30-year-old from Manchester City this summer in a deal reportedly worth £65.4 million.
His arrival has already drawn inevitable comparisons to the man who defined the pivot role for a generation.
For Henry, who witnessed Busquets’ genius up close, the verdict is clear: Barcelona have found their new anchor.
