Shruti Sneha, Pune
The much-feared day has finally come, as Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from professional football on Monday.
2010 World Cup winner with Spain finally broke the silence on rumors, after teasing all fans worldwide with a cryptic post last week.
“Being on the pitch is over,” words which an emotional Iniesta said to the reporters at an event in Barcelona.
“I cannot leave football; it is my life and will continue to be my life,” he said, adding that he intends to pursue a coaching career.
After a brilliant 22-year career, Iniesta finally broke through and declared his retirement from the game in an emotional video that was posted online with the caption, “The game will go on.”
When asked what the game means to Iniesta, former midfielder of La Roja and Barcelona was lauded by the likes of his former bosses Luis Enrique, Arrigo Sacchi, Louis Van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, and Vicente Del Bosque.
“It embodies how we felt when we were kids playing outside. Your mother called after dark, when you could no longer see the ball. “Come on in!” Enter now! Andres Iniesta is that,” said Luis Enrique, the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain and a former football manager in Spain.
The Barcelona faithful affectionately call him Don Andres, but Andres Iniesta has finally put curtains on an incredible career in which the 40-year old has amassed 674 appearances for the Blaugranas.
With nine La Liga championships, four Champions League trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, six Copa del Rey titles, three UEFA Super Cups, and seven Spanish Super Cups with Barcelona, the midfield player left an enduring legacy during his eighteen years at Camp Nou.
From La Masia, Barcelona’s famed academy, Iniesta worked his way into the first team at the Catalan club and made his senior debut for the Catalans in a Champions League match against Club Brugge in October 2002. After that, it was not long before the Spaniard established himself as one of the best on the global stage.
It was in 2018 when Iniesta decided to bid farewell to his boyhood club and instead considered moving to Japan with Vissel Kobe, whom he spent five years with, making 134 appearances for them.
As a last-ditch before hanging his boots, Iniesta joined UAE side Al-Wasl in 2023, but only witnessed a deplorable season where the team ended 13th and was relegated.
It was Barcelona which said goodbye to departing Iniesta by publishing a post on the club’s X account.
“Iniesta, your football will live on forever.”