Former Manchester United stars David de Gea and Juan Mata have paid tribute to Andres Iniesta after the Spain and Barcelona legend’s retirement announcement.
Andres Iniesta on Monday confirmed that he would call it time on his remarkable career after his trophy-laden success at club level and on the international stage.
The 40-year-old Spaniard had been playing at the Emirates Club after he left J1 League outfit Vissel Kobe and signed for the UAE side in 2023.
Iniesta hoovered up the major silverware during his spell at the Camp Nou, including lifting nine La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
The Spain and Barcelona legend came through the Spanish club’s famed La Masia academy and went on to make a whopping 674 appearances for the La Liga outfit.
Man Utd legend De Gea’s message to Iniesta
Andres Iniesta was a key figure for Spain and the former Barcelona captain lifted two European Championship titles and a World Cup trophy with his country.
Manchester United legend David de Gea shared the pitch with Iniesta for Spain and the Spaniard shared a touching message with his former teammate.
De Gea, who returned to football in the summer with Fiorentina, insisted that 2010 World Cup winner Iniesta is a “true icon” across the world.
The 33-year-old former United star added that Iniesta made Spain “dream” and the Barcelona legend’s legacy would “live forever” after his impact for La Roja.
“A true icon of football all over the world,” De Gea wrote on Instagram.
“You made our country dream and you will live forever through history.”
Mata posts tribute to Spain legend Iniesta
Juan Mata, much like former United and Spain teammate De Gea, wasted no time praising Iniesta for his remarkable impact on football.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who signed for Western Sydney Wanderers last month, took to social media and told Iniesta that he “dreamed of playing football” like him.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mata wrote: “I always dreamed of playing football like Andres. THANK YOU.”
Iniesta announced at a media event in Barcelona that his time in football had come to an end, with the Spain legend emotionally moved at his press conference.
“Please allow me to be a little emotional today […],” he said, as per The Guardian.
“I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness.
“They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice […] of never giving up, essential values in my life.
“I feel very proud of this path, with all the people who have accompanied me.”
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