Spain and Barcelona great Iniesta announces retirement after 22-year career

The 40-year-old Iniesta ended a 22-year career that also included two European Championship titles and four Champions League trophies.

“I never expected that this day would come, I never imagined it,” an emotional Iniesta said in a ceremony at an exhibition center in Barcelona. "But all the tears from the last few days are tears of emotion, or pride, they are not tears of sadness. They are tears of this kid who had the dream of being a soccer player and who succeeded after a lot of hard work, effort and sacrifice.”

Since leaving Barcelona in 2018, he had been playing with Vissel Kobe in Japan, and for the last year with club Emirates in the UAE Pro League.

Iniesta made his first-team debut with Barcelona in 2002, and appeared 674 times.

“It was something unique to be with the club of your life, to represent Barça, its fans and to wear that jersey," he said. “It's something I'll always have fond memories of.”

Known for his unique ball control and above-average playmaking ability, Iniesta helped anchor a Barcelona midfield that also included Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets — in addition to Lionel Messi in attack — in a squad that thrived for many years with an enchanting and effective ball-possession style that became known as the tiki-taka.

“Iniesta, your football will live on forever,” said Barcelona, which streamed the retirement ceremony live.

Iniesta won nine Spanish leagues with the Catalan club, as well as six Copa del Reys.

“One of the most magical teammates, and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most,” Messi said of Iniesta on Instagram. “The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you’re a phenomenon.”

Barcelona rival Real Madrid expressed its “recognition, admiration and affection for one of the biggest legends of Spanish and world football.”

“Andrés Iniesta has enriched the sport through his football and his values, in addition to the numerous trophies he has won during his career,” Madrid said. “His iconic goal in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa will forever remain in the memory of every Spanish fan.”

Iniesta helped Spain dominate world soccer by sweeping up the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, where he scored the extra-time winner with a right-footed shot from inside the area.

Iniesta said he will “not be too far” from soccer, and he is starting to prepare to be a coach at some point.

Iniesta was accompanied by his family in Barcelona. Also in attendance were Barcelona officials and members of the current squad including coach Hansi Flick. Videos of people talking about Iniesta, and with highlights of his career, were shown.

“If there is one word that can sum up this moment, it's pride,” he said. “Pride of having fought and worked until the last day that I played. The rest is history: Titles, defeats, bad times that we all have to go through. ... Pride and never giving up is what makes me very happy today. The only sad part is that I wished I would have played until I was 90.”