Barcelona and Spain icon Andreas Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from professional football.
Iniesta has taken to social media to confirm his departure from the game, with a video of greats including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique paying tribute to the midfielder.
The 40-year-old curtailed his career with spells at Japan’s Vissel Kobe and UAE outfit Emirates Club, though it’s his legendary spell with Barcelona for which he will be remembered.
A product of La Masia, Iniesta made 674 appearances during a decorated career with the Spanish side. A nine-time La Liga title winner, his 28 trophies with Barcelona also includes four Champions League triumphs.
El Juego Continúa ❤️⚽️ 8️⃣🔟2️⃣4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/YLrDOfxVCB
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) October 7, 2024
For Spain, he scored 13 goals in 131 caps and was part of the team that won an unprecedented three major tournaments in succession between 2008 and 2012.
He scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands as Spain were crowned world champions for the first time in 2010 and was named man-of-the-match in the Euro 2012 final win over Italy. He is the only player to have won man-of-the-match accolades in World Cup, European Championship and Champions League finals.
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