Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta bid farewell to the crowd in Tokyo, Japan this Sunday, two months after announcing his retirement at Barcelona. For the occasion, the former Blaugrana took part in an exhibition match between the former glories of Barça and Real Madrid.
He will have marked the history of his sport. This Sunday, two months after announcing his retirement in Barcelona, Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta also said goodbye to his rich playing career in front of the Tokyo public, during an exhibition match between the former glories of Barça and Real Madrid.
And, at 40, the 2010 world champion has lost nothing. In front of a crowd of more than 45,000 supporters in Tokyo, Iniesta delivered a last glimpse of his creative talent, which allowed him to win the Euro twice (2008, 2012) and the World Cup once with Spain (2010). ).
“A great match for Japanese fans”
In Japan, the Spaniard even made sure to leave in style by sending a cross in the last minute that the Real Madrid defense diverted into its own net to offer the 2-1 victory to the great Catalan rival, as a symbol . “I think it was a great match for the Japanese fans,” said Iniesta, who continued his career at Vissel Kobe (Japan) for five years after leaving Barcelona in 2018.
To accompany him, the former FC Barcelona midfielder was aligned with his former midfield partner Xavi Hernandez, but also with Rivaldo, Rafael Marquez and Javier Saviola in the Barcelona team. Roberto Carlos, Fabio Cannavaro and Iker Casillas were part of the Real team.
Towards a coaching career?
In his career, Iniesta has won a total of 32 trophies with Barça, including four Champions Leagues (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015) and nine national championship titles (Liga), shared with Lionel Messi, who was his teammate during the essential part of his career.
And now ? After 16 seasons at Barça, then an end of his career in Japan and the Emirates, “Don Andres” will now embark on a coaching career at the age of 40. “I'm thinking of getting my coaching diploma and I want to see where my career takes me,” he said soberly.
