Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at 40. Iniesta won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with a dominant Spain team, amongst many other trophies he won throughout his illustrious career
In a press conference held in Barcelona, a visibly emotional Iniesta said, “My time on the pitch has come to an end.”
“I cannot distance myself from football; it’s my life and will always be my life. I am pursuing my coaching diploma as part of my ongoing education, which is my next endeavour,” he revealed.
“I aim to return and make a significant contribution, but it will not be in the form of chasing the ball, but rather from a different position,” he added.
Iniesta emerged from Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy and made his debut for the first team in 2002 at the age of 18, establishing himself as a key figure in the midfield before departing 16 years later.
During his time at Barcelona, he won nine La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. However, his crowning achievement was scoring the decisive goal against the Netherlands in extra time in the 2010 World Cup final.
Following his departure from Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years with the Japanese club Vissel Kobe before concluding his final season at Emirates in the UAE.