Andrés Iniesta’s astounding trophy haul

Andrés Iniesta is expected to announce his retirement from football on the 8th of October. The 2010 World Cup hero and Barcelona legend has invited his followers on social media to tune in next Tuesday for an announcement about his future, which is widely anticipated to be his farewell to the sport.

Iniesta shared a video on social media featuring a mural painted by renowned urban artist Tvboy. In the mural, Iniesta is depicted holding a spray can and writing “Welcome to my future,” alongside the date of October 8. The only additional comment Iniesta made in his cryptic Instagram post was the word “Soon.”

As previously shared on his social media, Iniesta had been training in Dubai following the end of his contract with Emirates Club on July 1. Now, with no club since September 1, all signs point to the possibility that Barcelona’s iconic No. 8, who gave fans so much joy on that unforgettable summer day in 2010 in South Africa, will be hanging up his boots. It was in that World Cup final that he famously struck the Jabulani ball with his right foot, sending it into the back of the net against the Netherlands.

Born in Fuentealbilla, Iniesta began his soccer journey in the youth academy of Albacete Balompié before attracting the attention of top clubs. Barcelona ultimately recruited him, where he refined his immense talent. Iniesta progressed through the ranks until Louis Van Gaal, one of Europe’s top talent scouts, gave him his first-team debut against Brugge in the Champions League in 2002, wearing the No. 34 shirt.

How many trophies did Iniesta win in his career?

This marked the start of a dream career at Barcelona, where he thrived under coaches such as Rijkaard and later solidified his status as a world-class player with Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Alongside Sergio Busquets and Xavi Hernández, Iniesta formed part of a historic midfield that was the heart of Barcelona’s success.

He won an impressive four Champions League titles, nine LaLiga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, and seven Spanish Super Cups. In 2018, drawn by his fascination with Japanese culture, Iniesta moved to Vissel Kobe, where he continued to win domestic titles. In 2023, after his stint in Japan, he signed with Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, which is likely to be the final stop in his illustrious career.

For the Spanish national team, Iniesta made his debut during a transitional period under Luis Aragonés and became a key player in their golden era. He played pivotal roles in winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. His crowning moment came in South Africa, where his extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain’s first World Cup, a goal he dedicated to his dear friend Dani Jarque.

Now, as one of the most beloved players in Spanish soccer history, Iniesta seems ready to embark on a new chapter in his life, with the upcoming announcement on October 8 marking the likely start of his post-football journey.