Former Barcelona and Spain national team player Andrés Iniesta did not clarify what he intends to do after departing from his Japanese club Vissel Kobe in an emotional farewell on Saturday. The 39-year-old, who scored the sole goal in Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, ended a five-year stint in Japan after featuring for 57 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Consadole Sapporo.
This marked the first time Iniesta started a J-League match this season after struggling with multiple injuries that affected his career, while his club is striving to compete for the title, which is rare for them. According to Kyodo News, Iniesta said at a packed Misaki Park Stadium while crying, "The past few months have been really tough for me and for those close to me." He added, "I have the desire to retire and finish my career while being on the field, and I will take my next step based on these feelings."
Iniesta joined Kobe, owned by billionaire businessman Hiroshi Mikitani, in the summer of 2018, leading the club to its first title by winning the Emperor's Cup the following year. Vissel Kobe reached the AFC Champions League final during its first appearance in the continental competition and currently sits in third place in the domestic league, two points behind leaders Yokohama F. Marinos. All tickets for Saturday's match sold out after Iniesta announced his departure.
