Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with an all-conquering Spain team, announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at the age of 40.
“Being on the pitch is over,” a visibly emotional Iniesta told reporters at a news conference in Barcelona. “I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life.
Now I need to continue educating myself, I’m in the process of doing my coaching diploma and that’s the next step.” “I will try to come back and do a great job, but it won’t be running after the ball, but from another place,” he added.
