Andrés Iniesta calls time on 24-year career with emotional farewell at a media event in Barcelona where he was a key player.
Andrés Iniesta has called time on his trophy-laden football career. The 40-year-old former Barcelona midfielder made this announcement at a media event in Barcelona.
“Please allow me to be a little emotional today …” a tearful Iniesta, who most recently played for Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, told a press conference. “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness.
“They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla. Who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice. Of never giving up, essential values in my life. I feel very proud of this path, with all the people who have accompanied me.”
Iniesta was the mainstay in the all-conquering Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola. Alongwith Xavi and Busquets, he formed arguably what is still believed to be the greatest midfield trio in world football.
Iniesta, who was technically gifted, played 131 games for Spain. He scored the game’s lone goal in extra time to help his team defeat the Netherlands and win the trophy for the first time. In addition, he was instrumental in Spain ending a 44-year drought by winning the 2008 European Championship. In 2012, as they successfully defended the championship, he was named player of the tournament.
A year before to emerging as Spain’s hero in the World Cup final, Iniesta performed brilliantly against Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal. His incredible goal deep into stoppage time put Barça in the championship game, and they went on to win it—Pep Guardiola’s first European Cup victory as a coach.
“One of the most magical teammates and one of those who I most enjoyed playing together. Andrés Iniesta, the ball will miss you and so will we! I wish you all the best, you are a phenomenon,” wrote his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi on social media. After finishing second to Messi in the 2010 Ballon d’Or competition, Iniesta ended his incredible tenures at Barcelona and Spain in 2018 and relocated to Japan to play for Vissel Kobe.