A great football figure, Andrés Iniesta hung up his boots on Monday October 7, 2024.
After 22 years in the world of professional football, Andrés Iniesta Luján saw fit to put an end to his rich career. Iconic player for FC Barcelona and the Spanish team, the strong central midfielder announced his retirement from football at the age of 40 on Monday. Since then, tributes have been pouring in in honor of the Spaniard.
Iniesta retires
At the age of 40, Andrés Iniesta Luján has officially said goodbye to football. Having left Europe out of respect for FC Barcelona where he spent 16 years with the first team, the Spanish central midfielder played respectively for Vissel Kobe (2018-2023) in Japan and Emirates Club (2023-2024) in the Emirates United Arabs. After his only year in the UAE, the native of Fuentealbilla saw fit to hang it up. But Iniesta promises not to leave the world of football.
“Being on the pitch is over”declared the midfielder, visibly moved, after talking at length about his entire career in front of the press, during an event organized in Barcelona. “I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and it will continue to be my life. Now I have to continue training, I’m getting my coaching diploma and that’s the next step (…) I will try to come back to do a big job, but it won’t be running behind the ball, but from another place »he added.
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Tributes to Iniesta
He is a big name in football, who announced his withdrawal from the professional world. Indeed, several big names in the field and even clubs have given a nod by paying a vibrant tribute to Andrés Iniesta.
Lionel Messi (Story Instagram): “One of the teammates with the most magic and the ones I enjoyed playing with the most. Andrés Iniesta, football will miss you and so will we! I always wish you the best, you are a phenomenon”.
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Real Madrid : “Following the announcement by Andrés Iniesta of his retirement from football as a professional player, Real Madrid CF, its president and its board of directors want to show their recognition, admiration and affection for one of the great legends of Spanish and world football. Andrés Iniesta contributed with his football and his values to promote this sport, beyond the numerous titles won during his career. His iconic goal in the World Cup final in South Africa in 2010 will forever be remembered by all Spanish fans. Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family good luck in this new stage of his life.”.
Barça (X, formerly Twitter): “Iniesta, your football will live forever”.
Arrigo Sacchi : “He is one of the very rare footballers who was a teacher before being a student. He already knew everything”.
Luis Enrique (testimony) : “You know what this means to me. It reflects how we felt as children on the street when your mother finally called you home when it was dark and you couldn’t see the ball anymore: ‘Go home, go home.’ It’s Andrés Iniesta, who at 40 still asks himself: ‘Should I continue or not?’ »
Louis Van Gaal (testimony) : “…He wasn’t a footballer with an imposing physique, he was more like that (he points to his pinky finger) but intellectually, football was like that (he makes big gestures)… His character was very modest”.
Pep Guardiola (testimony) : “…One of the most important talents… To have a player like Andrés, who at that time was struggling and fighting for his survival, who comes to you and says: ‘Pep, we are on the right track, people are happy, and everything will be fine.’ Wow. It gave me a boost of energy to keep going. I will always be grateful to him for that.”.
Vicente Del Bosque (testimony) : “At the Espanyol stadium, Barcelona were winning 5-1, and he came out to a standing ovation from the whole stadium. It’s a moment that perfectly encapsulates how much the fans appreciate him.”.
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