MADRID —
Andrés Iniesta, scorer of the goal that gave Spain the 2010 World Cup and who was one of the key pieces of the tiki-taka success in Barcelona, announced his retirement from football on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old midfielder puts an end to a successful 22-year career that includes two European Championships and four Champions Leagues.
“I never thought this day would come, I never imagined it,” said an excited Iniesta at the event held in the port of Barcelona. “All these tears that we have shed during all these days are tears of emotion of pride, they are not tears of sadness.”
“They are (the) tears of that child who had the dream of being a soccer player and I achieved it, we achieved it, after a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of effort and never giving up,” he added.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, he went to Vissel Kobe in Japan. He spent last season at Emirates in the Emirati Pro League.
Since his debut in 2002, Iniesta has worn the Barça shirt in 674 games.
Known for his exceptional ball control and an above-average ability to generate play, Iniesta helped anchor the Barça midfield, in which he shared the spotlight with Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets, with Lionel Messi in attack. That team that shone for years with a fascinating and effective style based on possession, known as tiki-taka.
Iniesta’s record also includes nine Spanish leagues and six Copa del Rey titles with the Catalan club.
“One of the most magical teammates and the ones I most enjoyed playing together,” Messi said in a message about Iniesta on his Instagram account. “The ball is going to miss you and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you are a phenomenon.”
Iniesta also helped Spain dominate world football with its crowning in the 2008 and 2012 Euros and in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he scored the winning goal in the 116th minute of extra time in the final against the Netherlands with a right hand from inside the area.
Real Madrid, Barça’s staunch rival, praised Iniesta’s figure, highlighting him “as one of the great legends of Spanish football and world football.”
“Andrés Iniesta has contributed with his football and his values to making this sport great, beyond the numerous titles won during his career,” Madrid mentioned. “His iconic goal in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa will forever remain in the memory of all Spanish fans.”
At the event in Barcelona, Iniesta was supported by his family, as well as by Barcelona leaders and current members of the team, such as the coach, Hansi Flick.
The only trophy he failed to win was the Ballon d’Or. Many believe that he should have won that award in 2010 after winning the World Cup, but the same one went to Messi.
Iniesta maintained that the fact that three Barça players led the vote in 2010 was what he valued most: “The image of Xavi, Leo and I, the three of us on the podium, is greater than having achieved it. “Three guys from the house, who are on the Ballon d’Or podium, this is the award of that day, not who won it.”
