OFFICIAL: Iniesta retires from professional football

Spain and Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta has decided to retire from professional football.

At age 40, Iniesta officially confirmed his retirement from professional football as he posts farewell video on his social media.

The veteran midfielder has been a free agent for several months after leaving his latest club Emirates FC Club, and has decided to draw his career to an end.

Earlier, the 2010 World Cup hero had invited his followers on social media to tune in for an announcement about his future, which is widely anticipated to be his farewell to the sport.

Iniesta shared a video on social media featuring a mural painted by renowned urban artist Tvboy. In the mural, Iniesta is depicted holding a spray can and writing “Welcome to my future,” alongside the date of October 8, adding the word “Soon.”

Iniesta’s football journey mixed with passion 

Born in Fuentealbilla, Iniesta began his soccer journey in the youth academy of Albacete Balompié before being recruited by Barcelona. He progressed through the ranks until Louis Van Gaal, one of Europe’s top talent scouts, gave him his first-team debut against Brugge in the Champions League in 2002, wearing the No. 34 shirt.

Through the La Masia system, Iniesta became a first-team regular in his mid-twenties, and the arrival of Pep Guardiola re-defined his career into a glorious one.

However, this marked the start of a dream career at Barcelona, solidifying his status as a world-class player. Alongside Sergio Busquets and Xavi Hernández, Iniesta formed part of a historic midfield that was the heart of Barcelona’s success.

He won an impressive four Champions League titles, nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, and seven Spanish Super Cups. In 2018, Iniesta moved to Vissel Kobe, where he continued to win domestic titles.

After his stint in Japan, he signed with Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, before putting a final stop in his illustrious career.

For the Spanish national team, Iniesta made his debut under Luis Aragones and became a key player in their golden era.

He played key roles in Spain’s successes at Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. His most significant moment was in South Africa, where his extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain’s first World Cup.

Iniesta has in total, played 1016 games, scoring 107 goals and assisting 191 times. He has also won 38 trophies.

His cabinet includes;

1x World Cup

2x Euro

4x Champions League

9x LaLiga

3x Super Cup

6x Copa del Rey

7x SuperCopa

1x Japanese Champion

1x Japanese Cup

3x Club World Cup

1x Japanese Super Cup

His awards includes;

UEFA Best Player in Europe Award

UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament

9x FIFA FIFPro World11

FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Ball

2x IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker

1x La Liga top assist provider

5x La Liga Best Midfielder

6x UEFA Team of the Year

Ballon d’Or runner-up

FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball

La Liga Best Spanish Player

Iniesta is the only player to have won the MOTM award in a; FIFA World Cup Final, Euros Final, UCL Final, UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey Final.

As one of the greatest players in the world and Spanish soccer history, Iniesta will be embarking on a new chapter in his life.