Andres Iniesta has retired from football aged 40, Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola pay tribute to Spanish midfielder
Updated 08/10/2024 at 17:03 GMT+1
Andres Iniesta came through Barcelona's famous La Masia youth academy before going on to play nearly 700 senior matches for the club, winning major trophies including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The Spaniard wrote his name into his country's footballing history by scoring the goal that won them their first ever World Cup in 2010 and is regarded as a true legend for club and country.
'Emotion and pride' - Tearful Iniesta announces his retirement
Video credit: SNTV
Andres Iniesta has retired from professional football at the age of 40, prompting tributes from many in the game, including Lionel Messi, who has described him as a “phenomenon”.
A trophy-laden career saw him become a World Cup winner with Spain, as well as being a key cog in the midfield of a Barcelona team which is widely regarded as one of the best of all time.
Having come through the club’s academy, Iniesta went on to make almost 700 appearances for the Catalan giants and won 29 major trophies at the Nou Camp - including nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns.
During his 16 senior years at Barca, Iniesta formed an incredible midfield partnership with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, which thrived under the managerial guidance of Pep Guardiola - who was in charge for four years.
With the trio being joined by the likes of Lionel Messi, Dani Alves and David Villa, Barcelona were one of the most feared sides on the planet.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years in Japan with Vissel Kobe before making UAE Pro League club Emirates the final stop of his hugely successful career.
His contribution to his country will also be forever remembered, as he scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final as Spain beat the Netherlands to win the tournament for the very first time.
Iniesta claimed 131 caps overall for his country and also won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
On announcing his retirement, Iniesta said: “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it.
"Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness.
"They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice, of never giving up, essential values in my life."
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Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the 2010 World Cup final as Spain beat the Netherlands
Image credit: Getty Images
His former manager Guardiola has praised Iniesta for always being able to provide words of wisdom when things got tough at Barcelona.
“It gave me the boost to keep going. I will always be grateful, very much so,” he said.
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'I would have played until 90 if it was possible' - Iniesta on his retirement and what's next
Video credit: SNTV
Following the news of Iniesta’s retirement, Messi was another of those who wanted to pay tribute to the Spaniard’s achievements.
“One of the team-mates with the most magic and one of the ones I enjoyed playing with the most,” he wrote on social media.
“Andres Iniesta, the ball will miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always; you are a phenomenon,” he said.
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