11:52 JST, October 10, 2024
Andres Iniesta, who scored Spain’s World Cup-winning goal in 2010 and was one of the key players who kept Barcelona’s tiki-taka flourishing for so long, announced on Tuesday his retirement from football.
The 40-year-old Iniesta ended a 22-year career that also included two European Championship titles and four Champions League trophies.
โI never expected this day to come, I never thought it,โ an emotional Iniesta said at a ceremony near Barcelona’s port. โBut all the tears of the past few days are tears of emotion or pride, they are not tears of sadness. These are tears of this boy who dreamed of becoming a footballer and who succeeded after a lot of hard work, effort and sacrifice.โ
Since leaving Barcelona in 2018, he has played for Vissel Kobe in Japan and most recently for club Emirates in the UAE Pro League.
Iniesta made his first-team debut with Barcelona in 2002 and made 674 appearances.
โIt was something unique to be at the club of a lifetime, to represent Barca and its fans and to wear that shirt,โ he said. โIt’s something I will always have fond memories of.โ
Known for his unique ball control and excellent playmaking skills, Iniesta helped anchor Barcelona’s midfield, which also included Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets โ alongside Lionel Messi in attack โ in a side that thrived for years with a mesmerizing and effective touch of the ball. style that became known as the tiki-taka.
โIniesta, your football will live on forever,โ said Barcelona, โโwhich live-streamed the retirement ceremony.
Iniesta won nine Spanish competitions with the Catalan club, as well as six Copa del Reys.
โOne of the most magical teammates, and one of the ones I enjoyed playing with the most,โ Messi said of Iniesta on Instagram. ‘The ball will miss you, and so will all of us. I always wish you the best, you are a phenomenon.โ
Barcelona rivals Real Madrid expressed their โrecognition, admiration and affection for one of the greatest legends of Spanish and world football.โ