Emotional tribute to Iniesta: “This is where I grew as a player and as a person”

Andrés Iniesta played his last game in Vissel Kobethe last of Japanese football, after which a farewell ceremony was held in his honor where he assured that in Japan he had grown “as a player and as a person”.

The 39-year-old midfielder posed visibly moving in the dimly lit stadium, between flashing lights in the stands, at the event organized in Noevir del Vissel Stadiumin the west of the archipelago, while the text can be read on the enclosure’s electronic billboards “INIESTA KO8E FOREVER”.

Among the highlights of the event was his speech, in which he thanked the fans and the city that welcomed him over the past five years, since he signed in 2018.

“We carry as an important memory the love and respect they showed us from the first day we arrived here,” said the player, describing his stage in Japanese as a “beautiful and exciting” trip, according to a transcript of his speech published by the special sports newspaper Nikkan Sports.

“I feel that I have grown as a player and as a person since I arrived here,” added Iniesta, an evolution that, he said, was possible thanks to his teammates, the coaching staff, the fans and the Japanese league: “Thanks to all of you I continue to grow”.

When iniesta signed for him Vissel Kobe He said among his goals was to grow the club, a goal that, he said Saturday, “I feel like I’ve achieved.”

“I always try to give my best on and off the field. I hope you all feel the same pride that I feel for this team”, continued the footballer, who spoke about how difficult the past months have been for him.

iniesta He was part of Vissel’s starting eleven for the first time this league season, where he was on the field in four of the 19 games played, accumulating 95 minutes on the pitch. Of them, 57 matches in this last match, which ended in a 1-1 draw match Condolences Sapporo.

The injuries that the midfielder has been suffering since 2021 and the change in tactics in the team have reduced his appearances, something that contradicts his desire to continue playing actively.

“I want to retire from playing on the field and I’m ready to take the next step,” he said. iniestawho has not yet revealed what his next destination will be after the Japanese Vissel Kobe.

The former player of FC Barcelonawho has not played for Kobe since the team’s friendly in Tokyo on June 6, received several farewell gifts from club owner Hiroshi Mikitani, among others, who presented him with a katana .

SA iniesta They were joined on the lawn by his wife and five children, who posed with him for the cameras.

“We will never forget your magic on the field, the battles we fought together, the love you showed this city. Arigato. 8eternal graces,” captioned a commemorative video posted on the social networks of the Vissel Kobe at the end of the match, doing the word game with 8 in his number and a big G.