Lionel Messi would often make a beeline for Andres Iniesta when things got “difficult” on the pitch – and it sums why he was such a special teammate.
Iniesta, 40, is expected to announce his retirement from football at an event on October 8 – the shirt number that accompanied him for the majority of his professional career.
That’s according to Spanish publication Relevo, who suggest the former Spain international has been in Dubai with his family, training and keeping fit in order to try to find a new adventure.
Only a few weeks ago, Iniesta opened up on his desire to keep playing. “I feel like I would like to continue playing football until I feel that the time has come for me to stop,” he said.
But it appears the curtain will fall down on a trophy-laden career this month.
As well as his goal in the 2010 World Cup final, Iniesta will be remembered most for his 22-year spell at Barcelona, where he shared the pitch with some of the all-time greats, including Lionel Messi.
Messi was one of the midfielder’s biggest advocates. In an extract from the book The Artist: Being Iniesta, he discussed his unique relationship with Iniesta, as well as his talents on the pitch.
“I always picture him with the ball at his feet,” Messi said. “That’s the way I have got used to seeing him. He does everything well, with simplicity.
“At times, it may look like he’s not doing anything, but in fact he’s doing it all. Everything is different with Andrés. The hardest thing to do in football is to make it look like everything is easy, effortless, and that’s Andrés.”
Image credit: Getty
Messi also gave an insight into what he would say to Iniesta if the team were struggling in a game.
“On the pitch, I like him to be near me, especially when the game takes a turn for the worse, when things are difficult. That’s when I say to him: ‘Come closer, I want you by my side.’
“He takes control and responsibility; he leads the team. In the finals, Andrés, Xavi, Busquets and I have always liked to come together to give us a numerical advantage, to control the ball and the game.”
Messi added: “We’ve experienced very happy moments together and I particularly remember an emotional embrace at the Bernabeu after a goal. That was a lovely gesture from him.”
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