Former Barcelona star and Spanish football icon Andres Iniesta has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40.
The legendary midfielder, who was a key figure in Spain’s golden era, winning two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, shared the emotional news during a press conference in Barcelona on Tuesday.
“Being on the pitch is over,” Iniesta said, visibly emotional as he addressed reporters. His decision to step away from the game marks the end of an illustrious career that spanned over two decades, filled with remarkable achievements both at the club and international levels.
Iniesta’s football legacy is cemented by his incredible success with Barcelona, where he won numerous La Liga titles and Champions League trophies.
His ability to control games with his exceptional vision, passing, and technical skill made him one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Iniesta will forever be remembered for his decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final, securing Spain’s first-ever World Cup title.
“I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life. Now I need to continue educating myself, I’m in the process of doing my coaching diploma and that’s the next step.”
“I will try to come back and do a great job, but it won’t be running after the ball, but from another place,” he added.
Iniesta came up through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and made his first-team debut in 2002 aged just 18, becoming a mainstay in the midfield before his departure 16 years later.
He won nine La Liga titles and the Champions League four times with Barcelona, but his greatest moment came in the 2010 World Cup final when he scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in extra time.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years with Japanese club Vissel Kobe before playing one final season with Emirates of the UAE.
