Former Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta, a key player in Spain’s triumphant national team that secured two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at the age of 40.
In an emotional announcement confirming he is stepping away from the game, Iniesta said: “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. All these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness. They are tears of that boy from Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of work, sacrifice… of never giving up, essential values in my life.
“I feel very proud of this journey, with all the people who have accompanied me.”
He continued: “I feel very happy to have achieved my dream. My sporting career has been like a fairy tale because I have experienced the best at a professional level. Let’s go through it. It starts on the track in my town, at school, and with all the trips to Albacete. My first steps were there.
“I remember that stage as very happy. I remember watching Alba in the First Division. Although I never played professionally for Alba, I have always had two teams: Albacete and Barça. My land is in my heart.”
“The journey of my life is Fuentealbilla-Barcelona. I am lucky to have the four people who made that trip with me. My parents, my grandfather and I. It is very nice that today we are together again at such a special moment. That journey involves everything: work, sacrifice, humility… La Masia changed me forever. It is the best place where I could be to enhance the values that must be had in life. And I am grateful to all the people, teachers, teammates… it is a stage that undoubtedly marked our lives.
“Coming to Barca was a dream, which I focused on to fulfil. That effort, coming to Barcelona at 12 years old with everything that meant, could not divert my focus from what I had. I arrived at the best place to fulfill my dreams that lay ahead.”
Iniesta rose through Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy and made his first-team debut in 2002 at just 18 years old, becoming a central figure in the midfield until his departure 16 years later.
During his time at Barcelona, he won nine La Liga titles and four Champions League titles, with his most memorable achievement being the winning goal he scored against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final during extra time.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years at Japanese club Vissel Kobe before playing his final season with Emirates in the UAE.
Andrés Iniesta’s Trophy Cabinet
Team
- 1 x FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 2 x UEFA European Championship (2008, 2012)
- 4 x UEFA Champions League (2005/2006, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)
- 9 x La Liga (2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18)
- 3 x FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 2 x UEFA Super Cup (2011, 2015)
- 6 x Copa del Rey (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18)
- 5 x SuperCopa de Espana (2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2016)
- 1 x J League (2023)
- 1 x Japanese Super Cup (2019)
- 1 x Emperor’s Cup (2020)
Individual
- 1 x Ballon d’Or runner-up (2010)
- 1 x FIFA World Cup Dream Team (2010)
- 2 x UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2008, 2012)
- 6 x UEFA Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016)
