Iniesta cried while bidding farewell to Japan

 Iniesta cried while bidding farewell to Japan

Iniesta cried while bidding farewell to Japan(Getty)

Visel Kobe will bid farewell, as announced by Andrés Iniesta earlier. Yesterday, Iniesta played his last match for Visel Kobe, the star of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning team. Visel Kobe, or rather Japan's football, could not hold back tears for the former midfielder, who was also a key member of Spain's victorious squads in the 2008 and 2012 Euros.

Iniesta cried while bidding farewell to Japan

In the final of the 2010 World Cup, Iniesta wrote his name in Japan's football history by scoring the only goal, clinching victory for Spain. He played for Barcelona's youth team from 1996 to 2001 and made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2002. After spending 16 seasons there, he joined Visel Kobe.

Iniesta had been a regular figure at Visel Kobe, the Japanese club. However, due to an injury, he did not secure a place in the starting eleven this season. Yesterday, Visel Kobe's coach, Atsuhiro Miura, called on the 39-year-old Iniesta to enter the field in the starting eleven. After playing for 57 minutes, the former Spanish midfielder was substituted off the pitch.

According to the news from Japan's media outlet Kyodo News, all tickets for Iniesta's farewell match were sold out in advance, and the stadium was packed. After the match, with teary eyes, Iniesta said, "The last few months have been very tough for me and the people close to me."

Although Iniesta bid farewell to Visel Kobe, he did not confirm whether he would retire from the sport altogether. He did not explicitly mention his plans regarding leaving the field and continuing his career. Iniesta stated, "Taking retirement and giving everything I have in my career has been my desire. It is with this sentiment that I will make my next decision."