Tearful Andres Iniesta coy on his future plans after the Barcelona legend, 39, made an emotional departure from Japanese club Vissel Kobe in his first start of the season
- Iniesta finished his five-year spell in Japan with a 57-minute appearance
- The Spaniard started his first game of what has been an injury-plagued season
- Iniesta insisted he has the desire to ‘close his career while playing on the pitch’
Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has given no indication of his next destination after the 2010 World Cup winner made an emotional departure from Japanese club Vissel Kobe on Saturday.
The 39-year-old, who scored the only goal when Spain won the title against the Netherlands in South Africa in 2010, finished his five-year spell in Japan with a 57-minute appearance in a 1-1 draw with Consadole Sapporo.
The game was Iniesta’s first start in the league this season due to a succession of injuries that have limited his involvement in the current campaign as Kobe have launched a rare challenge for the J.League title.
‘The last few months have been a really tough period both for me and those close to me,’ a teary-eyed Iniesta told a sold-out Misaki Park Stadium, according to Kyodo News.
‘I have the desire to retire and close my career while playing on the pitch, and I’m taking my next step in accordance with that emotion.’
Andres Iniesta had a tearful farewell after ending his five year spell at Japanese side Vissel Kobe
Iniesta receives flowers from his family after Vissel Kobe’s game on Saturday night
Iniesta has given no indication of where his future lies following the end of his spell in Japan
Iniesta joined Kobe, owned by billionaire businessman Hiroshi Mikitani, in the summer of 2018 and helped the club claim their first trophy when they defeated Kashima Antlers to lift the 2019 Emperor’s Cup.
The following season Kobe reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League in their debut in the continental championship and the team currently sit in third position in the J.League, two points behind leaders Yokohama F Marinos.
Tickets for Saturday’s game sold out soon after Iniesta announced he would be leaving the club.
‘I came here in 2018 to fulfill the promise of making this club big,’ Iniesta said.
‘I feel I’ve managed to achieve that, and I’ve given my maximum both on and off the pitch. I hope you feel as much pride as I feel for this club.’
Iniesta’s tearful farewell was reminiscent of his emotional departure from Barcelona five years ago.
The Spaniard was in tears after announcing his exit from his boyhood club in 2018, while he took to the pitch alone to sit in the centre circle after his final game.
At 39-years-old, some might expect Iniesta to retire from the game especially after his injury-plagued season.
His former Barcelona and Spain team mate Cesc Fabregas announced his own retirement from football on Saturday.
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