Spanish football icon Andres Iniesta brought his illustrious playing career to a close on Sunday in a star-studded exhibition match in Tokyo. The game, featuring Barcelona and Real Madrid legends, attracted over 45,000 fans and marked the 40-year-old’s transition from player to aspiring coach.
Iniesta, who announced his retirement in October, provided one final memorable moment by delivering a last-minute cross that led to an own goal by Real Madrid’s defence, sealing Barcelona’s 2-1 victory.
The match celebrated Iniesta’s extraordinary journey, which includes two European Championship titles, a World Cup win in 2010, nine La Liga trophies, and four Champions League triumphs during 16 years at Barcelona.
Lining up alongside his former teammate Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta shared the field with football greats including Rivaldo, Rafael Marquez, and Roberto Carlos. “Playing with Xavi again brought back a lot of memories, even if we’re no longer at our peak,” Iniesta said.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years at Japan’s Vissel Kobe before a final stint in the UAE. Reflecting on his next steps, he shared plans to pursue coaching, stating, “I’m thinking about getting my licence and exploring where my career takes me.”
Iniesta’s farewell in Tokyo offered fans one last glimpse of his legendary skill, as he continues his journey in football from the sidelines.
