Andres Iniesta, the 40-year-old Spanish football icon, has officially announced his retirement from professional football through a touching social media video titled ‘The game goes on’.
The announcement features tributes from his former managers, including Pep Guardiola, Vicente del Bosque, and Luis Enrique.
The midfielder, best known for scoring Spain’s winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands in South Africa, is set to reveal his future plans within the next 24 hours. His retirement video started with the question, “What does football mean to you?” followed by heartfelt testimonials from coaches who shaped his career.
The video includes personal accounts from several prominent figures in football. Luis Enrique remembered Iniesta’s childhood passion, describing a young boy who would ignore his mother’s calls to come home because he was playing football. Serra Ferrer noted how Iniesta became a teacher before being a student, while Louis van Gaal emphasised his constant football mindset.
Former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, highlighted Iniesta’s composure on the pitch, and Vicente del Bosque recalled the player’s memorable moments, including the standing ovation at Espanyol’s stadium and his historic goal celebration in Johannesburg. Barcelona club delegate Carlos Naval added a poignant note, stating that Iniesta “can never leave football”.
In an Instagram story while with the Argentina national team, Messi wished Iniesta well, he wrote: “One of the teammates with the most magic and one of the ones I enjoyed playing with the most. The ball will miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you all the best always; you are a phenomenon”.
The Spanish playmaker ends his career having won multiple titles with Barcelona, including four UEFA Champions League trophies and nine La Liga titles. His international success includes the 2010 World Cup victory and two European Championships with Spain in 2008 and 2012.
