He shaped the Tiki-Taka era like no other and won everything there is to win in football – now Andres Iniesta, 40, is retiring.
Former soccer world champion and European champion Andres Iniesta has ended his career. The exceptional player who is now 40 years old announced this step at an emotional ceremony in Barcelona,dates also present Barca coach Hansi Flick. “I never expected that this day would come, I could never imagine,” said an emotional Iniesta.
“But all the tears these past few days are tears of emotion or pride, not tears of sadness,” Iniesta said. “These are tears for this boy who had the dream of becoming a footballer and achieved it after a lot of hard work, effort and sacrifice.”
Iniesta and his family on stage. APA / AFP / Louis Gene
Speed behind success
Iniesta is considered one of the most influential Spanish footballers of the last decades. 14 years ago he scored for Spain in the final against the Netherlands in extra time to win the World Cup in South Africa. In 2008 and 2012 he became European champion with his home country.
His work is particularly closely related to the successful period of FC Barcelona at the beginning of this millennium. In the last four of Barca’s five Champions League titles, Iniesta set the pace on the pitch.
Andres Iniesta in the Spanish national team uniform at the 2016 European Championship. APA / AFP / Pascal Pavani
Iniesta also delighted Vissel Kobe fans in Japan. APA / AFP / Jiji Press
As captain, Iniesta won Barcelona the 2015 Champions League trophy. APA / Comyan / Yuri Kochetkov
The beginning of an era: From 2007/08, Iniesta and Spain dominated world football for many years. APA / Comyan / SteelAlong with his midfield partner Xavi and top star Lionel Messi, Iniesta was particularly responsible for the famous Tiki-Taka short game under former Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Iniesta made his debut in the FC Barcelona first team in 2002 and played 674 times for the Catalans.
Messi talks about “magic”
Messi praised Iniesta’s story via Instagram as “one of the most magical players” and with whom he enjoyed playing together the most. “The ball will miss you, like all of us together,” continued the Argentine.
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 moved to the United Arab Emirates to the Emirates Club. His contract there expired at the end of June. (APA)