Barcelona: Andres Iniesta confirmed Friday here, he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after being associated with the club for 22 years.
In a press conference attended by members of the first team and the club’s board, Iniesta said he wanted to finish at Barca ‘feeling useful, feeling important and still winning titles’.
After joining Barca’s academy, ‘La Masia’, aged 12, Iniesta blossomed into one of the Catalans’ greatest ever players, winning four Champions League and eight La Liga titles, and lifting the World Cup with Spain. He also helped Spain win two Euro Championships.
“I understand that in the near future I will not be able to give the best of myself in all senses, both physically and mentally,” Iniesta told reporters, struggling to hold back his tears.
“If I had imagined finishing my career here, it would have been like this, feeling useful, feeling important and still winning titles. It’s a very difficult day for me because I’ve been here all my life and to say goodbye to my home and my life here is very hard.”
Iniesta’s short speech was greeted by applause and the congratulations are likely to continue Sunday, when he can collect his ninth La Liga title. Barcelona need only a point against Deportivo La Coruna to be crowned champions.
In what was his last cup final with Barca, the brilliant midfielder capped a typically elegant performance at the Wanda Metropolitano with a wonderful finish, shimmying past goalkeeper David Soria and tapping in his 57th club goal, on his 669th appearance.
He would not be short of offers this summer from the world’s elite clubs but Iniesta said that to avoid facing Barca, he will not be staying in Europe.
“There are things to talk about, things to finalise,” Iniesta informed. “The only thing I have always said is I would never compete against my club so all scenarios that are not in Europe are possible.”
Factfile
Made club debut in October 2002 in a Champions League game against Club Bruges
Has so far played 669 matches for the club scoring 57 goals
Has won eight La Liga, six Copa del Rey and four Champions League titles
Member of the Spanish team who won the 2010 World Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Euro Championships
“Wherever I may play, it will not be in Europe because
I simply will not play against Barcelona”
Andres Iniesta
“Wherever I may play, it will not be in Europe because
I simply will not play against Barcelona”
Andres Iniesta
