One of the best footballers of all time, Andres Iniesta has ended his professional career.
The Spaniard officially said goodbye to football today at a ceremony in Barcelona.
"I thought this day would never come. These tears you see are not because of sadness. These are the tears of a child from Fuentalbilja, who dreamed of becoming a footballer. And I realized that dream, with many sacrifices. I didn't give up," Iniesta said on ceremony in Barcelona.
The solemn ceremony was attended by Iniesta's teammates, such as Xavi, Deko and Pique, as well as the first team of Barcelona, led by coach Hansi Flik and president Joan Laporte.
"My family, sister and parents have always been a driving force. They were by my side, they gave me everything. Today I have a great family, my wife and children, who are my inspiration", was an emotional Iniesta.
Iniesta spent his last season at the Emirates club. He achieved the greatest success in his career with Barcelona, where he grew up. He played 442 games for "Blaugrana" and scored 35 goals, and his famous partnership with Xavi in the midfield of Barcelona and the Spanish national team is remembered.
"La Masia changed me forever. It's the best place where I could progress. Coming to Barcelona was a dream, I was in the best possible place. I had the honor of watching 'Camp nou' every day, and then playing I spent the best period in Barcelona. We enjoyed the club and the fans. I can't forget my teammates and coaches from that period.
In the jersey of the Spanish national team, he played 131 games, scored 13 goals, and certainly the most important in his career, but also in the history of Spanish football, was the goal against the Netherlands in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In addition to the World Cup, he also won the European Championship twice with "fury" - in 2008 and 2012.
"My story in the national team begins at the age of 15. All those trainings, teammates I played with... Thank you to everyone I met. I had the privilege of being in the national team during its most glorious period."
After Barcelona, he continued his career in Japan, in Visel Kobe.
"I can't be far from football. It was and will be my life. I am motivated to be a coach. I would like to be able to play until the age of 90, but I am happy, because I have fulfilled my dream of being a football player," concluded Iniesta. .
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