Andres Iniesta, the
midfielder who gave La Roja the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, has
announced his retirement from international football following Spain's exit
against Russia. This announcement came in as a confirmation as he had said in
May that he would likely retire after the World Cup, later saying that he
couldn't rule out a return. Iniesta's final kick for Spain was a goal against
Russia at the penalty shootout in the last 16 game on Sunday. Host nation
Russia took the day as Spain lost 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Fernando
Hierro, manager of Spain's national team described Iniesta as "one of the greatest players in our history". "The way he
played on the pitch when he substituted on was like he was playing in his first
cap and I want to thank him whole-heartedly," he asserted. Iniesta played all 3
games of the group stage with Spain full time but came in as a replacement at
the 67th minute in the knockout game against Russia. He wasn't disgruntled with
the coach's decision to leave him out of the starting XI. "I don't
feel hard done by. The coach takes decisions whether you agree with them or not,"
he said. “The coach understood that it
was better that way." Iniesta's former team-mate Cesc Fabregas was a pundit for BBC's coverage of the match was very surprised by the coach's decision though, as he said, "It's a big surprise. I think in the 15 years I've been following him, this is the second time I can remember him being dropped in a big game."
The Spain and
Barcelona legend, 34, has scored 13 goals for the Spanish national team in his
eminent 131-cap career with Spain. Iniesta is Spain's fourth most capped
player, behind Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi Hernandez. The playmaker has won 96
games with Spain, drawn 15 and lost just 15. He was part of Spain's 'golden
generation' that won the European championships in 2008 and 2012, and the World
Cup in 2010.
Iniesta left Barcelona
at the end of last season, after an illustrious career at the Catalan club. He
won nine league titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona, 32 trophies
overall and made 674 senior appearances with the club. Iniesta was named in the
UEFA Euro All-time XI announced in 2016.
Iniesta
spoke at a post-match interview, telling reporters he had hoped for a better
ending. "It
was my last game with the national team, a wonderful story ends here, even if
not as I hoped." Sometimes the endings are not as one dreams." "Overall, it is surely the saddest day of my
career." "There is relief. The
players are there. The important thing is to find the way to success again. It
is not easy, it is more complicated than it seems, but the national team will
continue." "It's
a difficult time, we've already experienced it in the past, and we've proven
ourselves good at going beyond things, we've always stood up to the
circumstances and, even if I hoped for a better ending, we have to accept that
football is this also"
Iniesta has signed a two year deal with Japanese club
Vissel Kobe, after a 22 year journey with Barcelona. The club is owned by the owners of Rakuten - main shirt sponsors
of Barcelona. Iniesta has retired from football as one of the most influential players of his era.
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