Iniesta Retires at 40: Celebrating His Impact on Football
Andrés Iniesta, one of football’s all-time greats, has officially retired at the age of 40, marking the end of a legendary 24-year career.
Iniesta is best known for his time at Barcelona, where he made 674 appearances after graduating from the club’s renowned La Masia academy. During his time at the club, he won 29 trophies, including nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns.
His career was also highlighted by his international success with Spain, where he earned 131 caps and famously scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands, giving Spain its first-ever World Cup victory.
Iniesta also played a key role in Spain’s European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012, and his influence on the game has been widely praised, with his former teammate Lionel Messi calling him “one of the most magical teammates” he ever had. Iniesta spent his later playing years with Vissel Kobe in Japan and Emirates Club in the UAE.
In his retirement speech, Iniesta reflected on his journey from a small town in Spain to becoming one of the most celebrated players in football history, expressing pride and emotion for all he achieved.
