Spain's World Cup Cup-winning midfielder set to announce his retirement next week

Spain's World Cup-winning footballer, Andres Iniesta, the legendary midfielder, is set to retire from professional football at the age of 40. He will officially announce his decision during a ceremony scheduled for October 8. 

The Prodigy of Barcelona's 'La Masia,' Iniesta made 674 appearances for Barcelona, netting 57 goals and provided 135 assists. He achieved unprecidented success with the Catalians, including winning the Champions League four times, the Copa del Rey six times, and La Liga nine times. Notably, he scored the winning goal for FC Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.

Andres Iniesta’s gameplay closely resembled that of Lionel Messi, marked by exceptional dribbling skills, astute assists, and unparalleled playmaking abilities. His adeptness at navigating tight spaces and creating opportunities for teammates solidified his pivotal role in Barcelona’s success.

Iniesta's exploits with the National Team 

Iniesta boasts 131 caps for the Spanish national team and is most renowned for his World Cup-winning goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 final in South Africa. Andres Iniesta's unforgettable goal in the 2010 World Cup final united an entire nation in celebration. After his contract with the Emirates Club in Dubai ended, Iniesta had been considering his future in football, but ultimately decided to retire and focus on new opportunities beyond the pitch.

Affectionately known as ‘Don Andres,’ he has tallied 14 goals and 30 assists in international competitions. He was a linchpin in Spain’s Euro Cup triumphs in 2008 and 2012. His swansong came against Russia in the FIFA World Cup 2018, where Spain was eliminated in the round of 16.

After an illustrious 22-year tenure at Barcelona, Iniesta embarked on a new chapter in Japan, joining J-League club Vissel Kobe. During his time there, he made 134 appearances, scoring 26 goals, and providing 25 assists. Additionally, he had a productive one-year stint with the UAE club Emirates, featuring in 23 matches.