Barcelona and Spain icon Andrés Iniesta has announced his retirement from professional football, calling time on a legendary career that spanned 24 years, 1,016 appearances and 38 major trophies.
Throughout that time, he produced many magical moments. We look back on eight of the most memorable.
Breaking into Barcelona’s midfield in 2002, his first goal in those famous colours was hardly one that reflected the precise playing style he is now renown for, smashing a loose ball into the empty net from two yards out all the way back in January 2004, a full 13 months after his debut for the club.
It took another two years for his domestic form to be recognised on the international stage, with the iconic midfielder making the first of 131 Spain appearances as a half time substitute in an otherwise unremarkable 0-0 friendly draw with Russia in 2006.
The Spaniard was never known for his goalscoring prowess, never managing more than nine in a single season, but had the uncanny ability to pop up when his team needed him most.
That was epitomised five years on from his first goal, when he found the net in a Champions League clash with Chelsea three minutes into stoppage time with Barcelona’s only shot on target of the game, putting the Blaugrana into the final against Manchester United, one they went on to win comfortably with Iniesta grabbing an assist.
For several seasons, he formed the most deadly midfield trio in world football both domestically and internationally as he, Xavi and Sergio Busquets built the base upon which Lionel Messi flourished, with Xavi and Iniesta both joining Messi in the 2010 B’allon d’Or top three.
In fact, only Dani Alves and Luis Suarez provided more assists for the Argentine forward than Iniesta’s 37, including setting up one of Messi’s best ever with some quick feet a through ball that left Arsenal’s defenders chasing shadows.
This assist for Neymar in the Champions League years later showed his immense talent.
But even when Iniesta wasn’t getting goals or assists, he won the hearts of Barcelona fans and plenty of neutrals carrying the ball through midfield and wriggling out of the smallest spaces, becoming synonymous with the No. 8 shirt at Camp Nou and leaving opponents sure the ball was glued to his feet.
After 674 games for Barça, scoring 57 goals and providing 138 assists, Iniesta finally decided to call time on his spell at Camp Nou in 2018, playing his final game against Real Sociedad and enjoying the adoration of the Barcelona faithful one last time before moving to J-League side Vissel Kobe.
But for all of his club heroics, nothing will ever beat his winner in the 2010 World Cup final to hand La Roja their first ever World Cup trophy.
Iniesta remains the only player in history to have been named man of the match in the final of the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League.
All that’s left to say is: gracias Andrés.
