Iniesta Retires From Professional Football At The Age Of 40
Andres Iniesta, the legendary Spanish and Barcelona footballer, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40.
Considered one of the all-time greats, Iniesta earned 131 caps for the Spanish national team, famously scoring the decisive goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. He also celebrated victories in the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 with Barcelona, where he formed a remarkable midfield trio with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets.
“I never thought this day would arrive. I never envisioned it,” Iniesta expressed.
He added, “The tears we’ve shed recently are tears of joy and pride, not sadness. They reflect the journey of a boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla who dreamed of becoming a footballer, and through hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, we made that dream a reality.”
Iniesta spent the majority of his 22-year career at Barcelona after coming through the club’s La Masia academy, but he is now retiring after stints with Japan’s Vissel Kobe and the UAE Pro League’s Emirates.