After an incredible 22-year journey and over 1,000 matches, Andrés Iniesta has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
At a retirement event held in Barcelona’s old port, Iniesta shared his thoughts on his remarkable career. “It’s like a story that began on the playground in Fuentealbilla,” he said, his emotions evident as the audience filled the room with applause and tears. He invited his family on stage, asking to display a treasured photograph once more. On the screen, a young Iniesta—donning a red sweater and blue overalls, with a foot resting on a soccer ball—appeared, serving as a poignant reminder of the beginnings of his journey.
“For that boy, just one night in Belgium would have been enough,” Iniesta reflected, reminiscing about the 1,015 matches that followed and declaring them the best nights of his life. He made his professional debut at just 18 years old in October 2002 during a 1-0 victory in Bruges, and his final match was a 3-2 loss in Sharjah in June 2024 at the age of 40.
Having left behind the demands of elite football six years earlier, Iniesta was adamant about exiting the game on his own terms, wishing to be remembered fondly. He recalled his final moments on the Camp Nou pitch after the 2018 Copa del Rey final—a solitary barefoot walk across the field in the dark, the stands empty. “I would have liked to retire there, but at Barcelona, you must give 300%, and that wasn’t possible,” Iniesta reflected. Although he later played in Kobe, Japan, and the UAE, he made it clear that his playing days are now over.
“Never did I think I would see this day,” he confessed to the audience of 500 gathered to celebrate him. His voice trembled as he acknowledged that it was time to move on. While he dreams of a coaching role at Camp Nou, he admitted he hasn’t even begun that journey yet. “The experience on the field is finished, but I can’t be far from football; it will always be my life. I’m building my future step by step. I need to learn and make mistakes, and I’m starting my coaching course. I’m quite stubborn—I’d have played until I was 90 if I could.”
His emotions ran deep as he reminisced about his first arrival in Barcelona. He traveled there with his family in an old blue Ford Orion, unable to stop crying. His youth coach, José Bermúdez, described him as a “delicate and sensitive” child. At their hotel, Iniesta’s father experienced a panic attack, wanting to take him back home, but his mother, Mari, encouraged him to stay and pursue his dream.
Then, everything changed. “Carlos Naval called La Masia and asked for me,” he remembered. “I was 16, and Lorenzo Serra Ferrer wanted me to train with the first team. I was trembling.” He recalled the thrill of entering the dressing room, meeting legends like Luis Enrique, who assisted on his first goal.
Pep Guardiola once told his team, “Remember this day, the day you first played with Andrés,” recognizing the young talent. During Guardiola’s challenging early days as coach, Iniesta visited him to offer support, and they ultimately triumphed with a treble that season.
As Iniesta closes this chapter, he reflects on the legacy he leaves behind—885 club matches and 131 international appearances. Two moments stand out: his goals at Stamford Bridge and in Johannesburg, with the latter securing Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory. “Imagine the chances of someone from Fuentealbilla making it,” he remarked, highlighting how, from a village of just 2,071, he became a footballing force.
His connection to fans and the broader community was palpable. He expressed vulnerability, revealing that he faced dark moments before the World Cup. “I felt like I was everyone’s,” he said, emphasizing the communal sense of loss surrounding his retirement.
In summary, Iniesta expressed deep gratitude for his career, underscoring that his pride comes not just from the trophies but from having fulfilled his dream and bringing joy to others. “I cherish the affection and love from people,” he concluded, reflecting on a career defined by a symphony of shared moments with countless fans.
