Over and out

Legend bids farewell: Iniesta ends his career!

Former world and European soccer champion Andres Iniesta has ended his career for good! The now 40-year-old exceptional player announced this step at an emotional ceremony in Barcelona, which was also attended by Barca coach Hansi Flick. "I never expected this day to come, I could never have imagined it," said a moved Iniesta.

"But all the tears of the last few days are tears of emotion or pride, they are not tears of sadness," said Iniesta. "They are tears of this boy who had the dream of becoming a footballer and who achieved it after a lot of hard work, effort and sacrifice."

He was European champion in 2008 and 2012
Iniesta is considered one of the most influential Spanish footballers of recent decades. 14 years ago, he scored Spain to win the World Cup title in South Africa in extra time against the Netherlands in the final. He became European champion with his home country in 2008 and 2012.

His work is particularly closely linked with FC Barcelona's successful period at the start of this millennium. Iniesta has set the pace on the pitch in the last four of Barca's five Champions League titles.

Together with his midfield partner Xavi and top star Lionel Messi, Iniesta was synonymous with the famous tiki-taka short passing game, particularly under former Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Iniesta made his first-team debut for FC Barcelona in 2002 and played 674 times for the Catalans.

"The ball will miss you!"
Messi paid tribute to Iniesta via Instagram story as "one of the players with the most magic" and the one he enjoyed playing with the most. "The ball will miss you, just like all of us together," the Argentine continued.

In addition to the Champions League titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015, Iniesta won the Spanish championship nine times and the Copa del Rey six times with Barcelona. In 2018, he moved to Vissel Kobe in Japan, and in 2023 he went to Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates. His contract there expired at the end of June.