Andrés Iniesta is looking for a new club for the last time. He made this known at a press conference. The Spanish midfielder is still under contract with the Japanese Vissel Kobe and it was intended that he would also end his career there. However, due to a lack of playing time, Iniesta has now decided to leave and find a club where he can say goodbye with dignity.
39-year-old Iniesta played a lifetime for Barcelona, but announced in 2018 that he would leave the club and play football in Japan. For five years, Vissel Kobe fans could enjoy the fit and insight of the Spanish stylist, but that period is now coming to an end. Trainer Nelsinho Baptista made less and less use of Iniesta’s services and that did not sit well with him. The playmaker wanted to end his career with Kobe as a celebrated basic player, but will now do so elsewhere.
– ???????????????? –
????? ????????7/1(?)J1?19?vs.???????????????????????????????? ????????
We regret to announce the departure of @andresiniesta8 from our club.https://t.co/2OyxtVK0ya#visselkobe #???????? pic.twitter.com/cDf0X5Lvt6
— ???????? (@visselkobe) May 25, 2023
The 2010 world champion explained his choice at a specially arranged press conference. “This is definitely one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my career,” Iniesta said. “It was my intention to retire here and I really wanted to, but in the end it turned out differently. It seems that the coach had other priorities. However, I still stand by my choice to go to this great club. “
Iniesta still had a contract until January 31, 2024 with Vissel Kobe, but due to his enormous record, the Japanese club has decided to let his star go on a free transfer in the summer. It is not yet clear where Iniesta will go to play football for a while and then end his career. In any case, that club will end up in a special row, because Iniesta has only played in the shirt of Barça, Vissel Kobe and the Spanish national team during his career so far.