Tuesday, 30 May, 2023
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Iniesta to leave Japan’s Kobe

Iniesta to leave Japan’s Kobe

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta said on Thursday he will make an early exit from Japanese side Vissel Kobe but intends to keep playing aged 39, reports AFP. The Spanish World Cup winner’s contract with Vissel runs until the end of the year but a tearful Iniesta said he will leave in July after seeing little action this season. Iniesta has made only three substitute appearances totalling 38 minutes this term for Vissel, who are three points clear at the top of the table. The midfield maestro said he did not know where his next move would be, but ruled out retiring. Widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, he has been linked with a non-playing role at Barcelona. “First I want to finish my time here properly and then see what options are available to me,” he told reporters, pausing to wipe away tears at times. “I want to keep playing and then retire while I’m still active. That’s difficult for me to do here, so I want to find a place where I can eventually retire.” Iniesta joined Vissel in 2018 after making more than 600 appearances for Barcelona, where he won the Champions League four times and claimed nine La Liga titles.