Retired Spanish football star Andres Iniesta bid farewell to his football career on Sunday in an exhibition match between Barcelona legends and Real Madrid in Tokyo, before looking forward to entering the coaching arena in the future.
Iniesta (40 years old) announced last October his retirement from playing after a triumphant career that saw him win the European Cup twice and the World Cup once with the Spanish national team.
The audience, estimated at 45,000 spectators in Tokyo, had a final opportunity to enjoy the skills of the player who won the Spanish Championship nine times with Barcelona and four Champions League titles during his 16 years with the Catalan team. His cross late in the match contributed to Real Madrid’s defense scoring an own goal and Barcelona winning 2-1.
Iniesta, who played for Vissel Kobe in Japan for five years after his departure from Barcelona in 2018, said, “I think it was a great match for the Japanese fans.”
“If they go home satisfied, I am very happy,” he added.
Iniesta played alongside his former partner in the Barcelona midfield, Xavi Hernandez, and also with former major stars in Barcelona, such as the Brazilian Rivaldo, the Mexican Rafael Marques, and the Argentine Javier Saviola.
On the other hand, the most prominent former Real Madrid stars, such as Brazilian Roberto Carlos, Italian Fabio Cannavaro, and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, participated.
Iniesta grew up in the famous La Masia Academy in Barcelona, and participated for the first time with the team when he was eighteen years old. He participated in 674 matches and won a total of 32 titles during his time at Camp Nou.
He then moved to the Japanese club Vissel Kobe before playing a final season with the Emirati club Emirates.
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