Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from playing at the age of 40.
The midfielder had teased his retirement in the build-up to the announcement, sharing a series of posts on social media relating to Tuesday’s date, which was October 8.
A nod to the No 8 shirt that he wore throughout his time with Barca and Spain, the veteran revealed he would be hanging up his boots on that very day as he spoke at a press conference in Barcelona.
A number of stars have paid tribute to Iniesta, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique featuring in a social media video and Lionel Messi among those to send well wishes online.
He opened up on his decision in Barcelona, where he made his name in football, having joined the club at the age of 12 and progressed through their academy.
Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 40
The now-former midfielder broke down into tears at a press conference in Barcelona
Iniesta won a total of 32 trophies with Barca in 16 years of what was considered a golden era
‘Being on the pitch is over,’ he said. ‘I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life.
‘Yes, 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 a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice, of never giving up, essential values in my life.’
He added: ‘I’d like to return to Barca at some point. Not just to say it, but because those who had so much influence, in one way or another, have to be there. When I can do what I did as a player in another role at the club, I’d be delighted.’
The now-former midfielder also revealed that the next stage of his life will see him take up a coaching course and venture into management.
Most famous for playing for Barca, he also won the World Cup – scoring the winner in the final – two European Championships, four Champions Leagues, nine LaLiga titles and a plethora of other trophies throughout his career.
As he appeared set to call time on his playing career, there was perhaps no higher profile name to pay tribute than Messi – who took to Instagram to congratulate Iniesta on his career.
Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to his former team-mate on social media
Iniesta was joined by his family on stage after making the announcement in the city of his former club
He received a standing ovation from those in attendance and revealed his next career move
He scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final for Spain – also winning Euro 2008 and Euro 2010
‘One of the team-mates with the most magic and one of the ones I enjoyed playing with the most,’ Messi posted, alongside a picture of himself and Iniesta from their Barcelona days.
‘Andres Iniesta, the ball will miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always; you are a phenomenon.’
Messi and Iniesta played together 489 times for Barcelona, with the former departing in 2021 and the latter in 2018.
In total, the Spaniard played a total of 674 matches for the club, netting 57 goals and logging a further 135 assists in that time.
He is fourth in the all-time appearance list for the club, behind Messi (778), Xavi (767) and Sergio Busquets (719).
With Spain, he won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup (scoring in the final) and Euro 2012.
Xavi, who was Iniesta’s midfield partner for almost all of his Barcelona career, has already ventured into management and led Barca until the summer, when he was replaced by Hansi Flick.
The midfielder was in attendance for the press conference, with Iniesta receiving a standing ovation at its conclusion.
His former midfield partner, Xavi, was in among the famous faces in attendance for the event
Iniesta had shared teases on social media in the build-up to the expected announcement
Some of his former managers, including Guardiola, Enrique and Vicente del Bosque spoke on the midfielder in a video, with Guardiola saying he gave him ‘the boost of energy to keep going’ during their time together in Spain.
A week prior to Tuesday, he shared another video captioned: ‘Coming soon,’ which featured a mural of the midfielder and the words: ‘To my future.’
He broke down into tears as he announced he would be quitting the sport and was also joined by his family on stage.