Andres Iniesta has said an emotional farewell to J-League side Vissel Kobe, with the fans serenading him following his final game with the club.
There are few players who the title of ‘legend’ is more apt for than Iniesta, with current Barcelona star Pedri explaining he even wanted to be bald like the midfielder when he was growing up.
For the past six years the 39-year-old has been playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe, having previously spent his entire career at the Nou Camp.
After a year in which he has barely played due to injury, which will not have been kind on his mental health, the World Cup winner finished his spell in Japan on Saturday.
The home crowd sang to him when he made his first start of the year in the 1-1 tie with Consadole Sapporo.
The four-time Champions League champion was visibly moved as fans screamed his name and the team displayed a Tifo of him. Despite his advancing years and the ailments he’s battled in recent months, Iniesta has not yet announced his retirement or given any indication of what he would do in the future.
The previous few months have been incredibly difficult for me and those close to me, he said after the game, according to Kyodo News.
“I’m moving forward in accordance with the emotion that drives me to want to retire and end my playing career.”
He continued, “I came here in 2018 to carry out the promise of making this club huge.
I believe I succeeded in doing that, and I gave everything I had on and off the field. I sincerely hope you share my enthusiasm for this club.
The midfielder helped the team win their first trophy when they defeated Kashima Antlers in the final of the 2019 Emperor’s Cup.
They then reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League the following season and reached a club record third at the end of the 2021 season.
Kobe are currently in third again this season and are five points behind Yokohama FM with a game in hand over the 2022 champions.
Iniesta has yet to decide what he’ll do next but has previously revealed he’d be open to a return to the Nou Camp off the field.
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