Andres Iniesta, 40, is set to announce his retirement from football on October 8, the shirt number he wore for most of his career. According to the Spanish publication Relevo, the former Spain international has been in Dubai with his family, training and staying fit in search of a new opportunity.
Just a few weeks ago, Iniesta expressed his wish to keep playing, stating, “I want to continue until I feel it’s time to stop.” However, it seems his illustrious career will come to an end this month.
In addition to his goal in the 2010 World Cup final, Iniesta will be best remembered for his 22-year tenure at Barcelona, where he played alongside legends like Lionel Messi. Messi, a strong supporter of Iniesta, reflected on their special bond and Iniesta’s exceptional skills in an excerpt from the book *The Artist: Being Iniesta*.
“I always envision him with the ball at his feet,” Messi remarked. “That’s how I’m accustomed to seeing him. He does everything with simplicity. Sometimes it might seem like he’s not doing much, but he’s actually doing everything. Everything changes with Andrés. The toughest challenge in football is making it all look easy, and that’s what Andrés does.”
Messi also shared what he would say to Iniesta during challenging moments in a game. “When things get tough, I prefer him close by. That’s when I tell him, ‘Come closer, I want you beside me.’ He takes charge and leads the team. In finals, Andrés, Xavi, Busquets, and I have always wanted to come together to gain a numerical advantage and control the game.”
Messi recalled, “We’ve shared many joyful moments, and I especially remember an emotional embrace at the Bernabeu after scoring a goal. That was a touching gesture from him.”
