Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta announced his retirement on Tuesday after a 22-year trophy-laden career. Iniesta, 40, was at the heart of midfield during a period of success for both sides in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
“Please forgive me for being a little emotional today…” Iniesta, who most recently played for Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, tearfully told a press conference. “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. Yes, all the tears we’ve shed lately are tears of emotion, tears of pride. They’re not tears of sadness.
“These are the tears of a boy from a small town like Fuente Villa. He had a dream of becoming a football player. We achieved it with a lot of effort and sacrifice… never Never give up is an essential value in my life.” I am very proud of this journey, along with all the people who have walked with me. ”
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Technically gifted, Iniesta made 131 appearances for Spain and lifted the trophy for the first time in the 2010 World Cup final, scoring the only goal in extra time to secure victory over the Netherlands. He also played a key role in helping Spain break a 44-year drought to win the European Championship in 2008, and was named the tournament’s best player during Spain’s successful defense of the title in 2012. .
Born in Fuente Villa, less than an hour’s drive southeast of the capital Madrid, Iniesta joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth team at the age of 12 and went on to play 674 games for the Catalan side, serving as captain for three seasons. Ta.
A year before being the hero of Spain’s World Cup final, Iniesta showed his magic in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. His brilliant strike late in stoppage time ensured Barça’s place in the final, lifting the trophy and securing Josep Guardiola’s first European Cup win as manager.
Andres Iniesta celebrates Barcelona’s victory over Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome. Photo: Manuel Queimaderos Alonso/Getty Images
Iniesta won 9 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, 6 Copa del Rey titles, 2 Super Cups and 3 Club World Cups with Barça, many of which he won with Barça at the top of Spanish football. He was alongside his rival, Xavi Hernández, who is considered a player. everytime.
“Andrés Iniesta, one of the most fascinating teammates and one of the most fun players to play with, the ball will miss you and we will miss it too!” God bless you. Yes, you are a phenomenon,” former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi wrote on social media. Iniesta, who was runner-up to Messi in the 2010 Ballon d’Or, moved to Japan to play for Vissel Kobe in 2018 after an impressive spell with Spain and Barcelona.
