Andrés Iniesta officially retired from professional football this Tuesday during a press conference in Barcelona surrounded by his family, current and past Barça players and even a representative of Real Madrid.
Despite its age (40 years) and an already somewhat distant pinnacle, the event puts Spanish sport in turmoil. Andrés Iniesta officially announced his retirement as a professional football player this Tuesday, October 8, in reference to his iconic jersey number (8) with which he wrote his legend and that of Spanish football. Last week, the former midfielder warned of a big announcement to come before publishing a new tribute video from his coaches on Monday. He said his goodbyes this Tuesday in the America’s Cup lounge in Barcelona.
“I could have played until I was 90”
Accompanied by his wife and three children, he spoke in front of many beautiful people in the city where he spent 22 years (1996-2018) and collected 32 titles with the Barça first team (2002-2018). Joan Laporta, president of the club, was there like his former teammates Xavi, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto, Juliano Belletti and Marc Barta but also players from the current squad Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ronald Araujo and coach Hansi Flick. Emilio Butrageno was also in the audience to represent Real Madrid, Barça’s great rival who even published a press release to salute the midfielder’s career.
Moved to tears by this five-star casting and the broadcast of several videos retracing his career, Iniesta spoke. “I never thought this day would come, but all these tears these days are tears of emotion, of pride,” he said. “These are not tears of sadness. They are tears of that boy from Fuentealbilla who dreamed of becoming a footballer. And I did it, we achieved it with a lot of sacrifice and a lot of effort. And without ever give up. Essential values in my life. I feel very proud of this path. I feel very happy to have obtained the prize, the dream, of being a footballer.
He wants to coach Barça
After a reference to the end of his career in Japan (2018-2023) and the United Arab Emirates, he activated the end clap by projecting himself onto his future career, which he envisages on a bench. “Football ends at this point,” he said. “The game continues… I can’t be too far from football, it has been my life and it will continue to be. We are working on different projects. In this next step I have this motivation to continue to play. train outside of football but in the same way I need to learn, to make mistakes, to train, in the project of the clubs that we have, of the academies… which is a heritage that. I want to continue maintaining. And I’m already starting the coaching classes You know me, you know I’m quite stubborn, I hope to do a good job, not chasing the ball, but with a lot of enthusiasm. “
“I have the pride of having fought until the last day as a footballer. The rest is history: the titles, the defeats, the bad moments… but pride and never having given up is what which makes me happy. With difficulty too, I could have played until I was 90, but I am happy to have realized my dream of becoming a footballer”.
The 2010 world champion proclaimed his ambition to become Barça coach one day, without wanting to put pressure on Hansi Flick, currently in place. “I hope Mr. Flick can be here for many years, that would be a good sign. I have no doubt your work will be fantastic. I haven’t even been to first grade yet but the intention is to be able to have the title (of coach). I would like to return to Barça. Those who have marked this club must be there, but they must be there in the right conditions. Everyone is unique in their own person. “
Related News :