Football is a beautiful game and its artistry lies in those adored individuals who have crafted an elegance, majesty and grandeur banking on their sheer excellence.
Andres Iniesta is certainly among those who have made people fall in love with football and has been a bona fide ambassador of the game due to his gentleness and devotion on and off the pitch.
The gem from La Masia has finally decided to part ways with his boyhood side following 22 years of attachment and the emotional farewell will be held when the 34-year-old midfield maestro gracefully represents Barcelona for one last time.
The game against Real Sociedad is nothing but a formality for the Catalans as they’ve already reconquered the La Liga throne.
However, the Camp Nou outing has its own essence as Iniesta will be wearing the famous blue-and-red stripes in his final appearance to end 16 sparkling seasons in senior football.
“There are still things to be sorted. I have said I will never play against Barca, so I won’t play in Europe. Barca has given me everything,” Stated the legendary playmaker in his last month’s press conference.
However, the reports of a player-manager role at Manchester City rounding up in rumour mills are contradicting his quotes.
This, meanwhile, makes sense though as Mikel Arteta’s supposed appointment as the new Arsenal boss should pave the way for Iniesta to replace his fellow countryman and reunite with former Barcelona gaffer Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner will work as his right-hand man for the English champions and the invaluable experience will guide him to kick-start his managerial métier in the near future.
Iniesta won 32 major titles with Barcelona that includes 9 La Liga trophies and 4 Champions League titles. Also, he won Spain the prestigious World Cup title 8 years back along with back to back European Championship honours.
His profound achievements and vast experience will enlighten the ‘next-gen’ stars who idolise him and aspire to be as successful as the Spaniard.
His amiable association with Guardiola should start a new era in both of their careers, where the duo will complement each other for further advancement.
However, it is to be seen now whether Andres Iniesta hangs up his boots in order to solely concentrate on the next chapter of his line of work as well as stick to his commitment of not playing against the Cules under any circumstances.
The profile of Champions League football might see these two giants line up against each other next season, therefore, the possibility of contesting Barcelona should not be ruled out unless he decides to draw an end to his boisterous and beguiling career as one of world’s most decorated midfielder.