Spain, Barcelona Legend, Andrés Iniesta Set To Officially RETIRE From Professional Football At The Age Of 40.

Andrés Iniesta has decided to RETIRE from professional football at the age of 40.

Iniesta, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, will announce his decision on October 8, this is to pay tribute to his iconic No. 8 jersey he practically wore for most of his entire career.

This will bring to end an illustrious career that has spanned over two decades.

In an anticipation video uploaded on his X page on Tuesday, Iniesta wrote, “Coming soon 8/10/24.”

Iniesta joined La Masia on this day 28 years ago, marking the start of his legendary football journey. He played 674 times for the senior Barcelona team, scoring 57 goals and providing 135 assists for the Blaugranas.

The Spaniard won 32 trophies with Barca, including nine La Ligas, four Champions Leagues and six Copa del Rey titles.

COMING SOON🔜8️⃣🔟2️⃣4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/H0eaSKkTwU

— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) October 1, 2024 

Internationally, Iniesta’s 116th-minute strike at Soccer City saw Spain become champions of the World in South Africa 2010. Spain captured football’s Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands

With penalties looming in the goalless encounter, the solitary goal came as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. 

Spain became the eighth name on the World Cup Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different continent.

Iniesta remains the only player in history to have been named Man of the Match in the finals of the World Cup, Champions League, the EUROs, UEFA Super Cup, and Copa del Rey.