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He would not be short of suitors this summer among the world’s elite clubs but Iniesta, who already has an offer from China, will not be staying in Europe.
“There are things to talk about, things to finalise,” Iniesta said.
“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.”
The recognition is infinite ???#Infinit8Iniesta pic.twitter.com/yQVc4Lxzva
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2018
Among those likely to be disappointed is Iniesta’s former coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, who has reportedly tried to push the merits of a move to England.
Guardiola’s Barca team, which won La Liga three times in a row between 2009 and 2011, as well as the Champions League twice, enjoyed Iniesta at his mesmorising best.
During that period, Iniesta became the poster-boy for fluid, possession-based football, for which this decade of Spanish dominance will be forever remembered. He would have won the Ballon d´Or in 2010 but finished second to Lionel Messi.
“To play with Messi has been and still is an honour and a privilege,” Iniesta said. “To share with him so many magical moments is a privilege because I understand there is no other player like him. As a team-mate and a footballer, being so close to him has been unique and magical.”
A glorious farewell with the Spanish national team is also possible at the World Cup this summer, after which Iniesta is expected to call time on an international career that has included winning the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, between consecutive successes at the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Iniesta’s succession will not be easy, particularly for Barcelona, whose original ‘tika-takas’ are now down to Messi, 30, Sergio Busquets, 29, and Gerard Pique, 31. It is hoped Philippe Coutinho, bought from Liverpool for 160 million euros in January, can help fill the void.
Asked how he would like to be remembered, Iniesta said: “It’s easy, I want to be remembered as a great football player and a great person. I’ve wanted to represent this club in the best possible way and I hope I have achieved it.”
