Barcelona, Spain Legend Andres Iniesta Announces Retirement From Football

The end of yet another era in football is set to dawn on us, as Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta hinted at a potential retirement announcement on Tuesday.

Ineista, a World Cup winner with Spain and one of the most decorated players in Barcelona’s history, shared a post on his official social media accounts on X and Instagram captioned,”COMING SOON 8/10/24.”

Many have speculated that the numbers 8 and 24, which were donned by the former Barcelona skipper during his 18-year tenure with the club, may indicate the midfield maestro’s intent to retire from the beautiful game once and for all.

‘Don Andres’, as he was lovingly called by the Barca faithful, may bring the curtains down on an illustrious career, that saw the 40-year-old make 674 appearances for the Blaugranas.

During his 18-year tenure, Iniesta won nine LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, six Copa del Rey titles, three UEFA Super Cups and seven Spanish Super Cups with Barcelona, leaving behind an unimitable legacy.

News of his potential retirement was further confirmed by acclaimed football journalist Fabrizio Romano, who also reported on the same.

Making his way up to the first team of Barcelona from their acclaimed academy La Masia, Iniesta made his senior debut for the Catalans in October 2002 in a Champions League game against Club Brugge, aftet which it did not take much time for the Spaniard to establish himself as one of the best players in the world.

It was in 2018, when Iniesta decided to part ways with his boyhood club, opting to make a move to Vissel Kobe in Japan, with whom he spent 5 years, making 134 appearances for them.

As a last pitstop, Iniesta then took his talents to the UAE in 2023, where he represented Al-Wasl, only to end up partaking in a disappointing season that saw the club finish 13th in the league and get relegated.