Barcelona, April 27
Andres Iniesta has confirmed he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season after 22 years associated with the club.
In a press conference attended by members of the first team and the club’s board on Friday, Iniesta said he wanted to finish at Barca “feeling useful, feeling important and still winning titles”. Iniesta is expected to continue his career in China, but says his next move is yet to be finalised. The 33-year-old reiterated, however, he would never play against Barcelona.
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.
Struggling to hold back the tears, Iniesta said: “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.”
“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 on Sunday, when he can collect his ninth La Liga title. Barcelona need only a point against Deportivo La Coruna to be crowned champions. It would secure a domestic double in Iniesta’s farewell campaign, after a thumping win over Sevilla in Copa del Rey final.
Iniesta 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 to avoid facing Barca, he would not be staying in Europe. “There are things to talk about, things to finalise. 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.” — AFP
Zidane praise s ‘football man’
Barcelona, April 27
Barcelona’s departing captain Andres Iniesta was hailed as a “real football man” by Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane after the Spain international announced he was leaving the La Liga club after 16 years at the heart of the team’s midfield.
“It’s difficult for me and for anyone who likes football. I don’t see him as a Barcelona player but a football man,” Zidane said on Friday.
“He is charming, very reserved and I like people like that. I don’t know him well but I only have good words for him and I wish him all the best as a player and as a person.”
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said Iniesta was still one of the best players around and added not many footballers receive the adoration that the Barca veteran does. “He is a player who first of all is still at the top of his game. He has been a regular starter for us and I don’t speak about him in the past but in the present,” said Lopetegui. — Reuters
https://ift.tt/2HZg57e
Comments
Post a Comment