Andres Iniesta confirms departure from Barcelona at the end of this season
Andres Iniesta has confirmed that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season having defined an era at Camp Nou alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Xavi ending a career-long association with the LaLiga giants.
Iniesta signed a "lifetime" contract with Barca last
October but speculation has mounted over recent weeks regarding the
33-year-old midfielder's future and a mooted move to the Chinese Super
League.
At a media conference on Friday at the club's training centre,
Iniesta made news of his pending departure official saying "This is my
last season here," he tearfully told an audience featuring his Barcelona
team-mates.
"I have thought my decision through for a long time. For me,
Barca is the best club in the world this club has given me everything.
It's a very difficult day for me, to be here saying goodbye when I've
spent my whole life here at Barcelona. A great deal of who I am, is down
to Barca and La Masia I am very thankful to them" he said.
Iniesta did not reveal who his next club will be, although he is widely expected to seal a move to CSL outfit Chongqing Lifan.
On his future, he added: "we'll know that when the season ends.
There are still things to work out, different things. I said I would
never play against Barca so it's not going to be in Europe. We will know
at the end of the season."
Since making his debut in a Champions League match against Club
Brugge as an 18-year-old in October 2002, Iniesta has clocked up 669
appearances across all competitions for Barca, the coolly dispatched
effort against Sevilla his 57th goal. Iniesta also inspired Spain's
golden generation to glory at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. He was named
player of the tournament after a man-of-the-match showing in the later
4-0 final thrashing of Italy.
No comments
Your comments and Encouragement are welcome