Iniesta’s playing days come to an end: “It was time to start something new”

Just one day after announcing that he would be hanging up his boots for good, Andrés Iniesta sat down to reflect on his career in the company of AS at a hotel in central Barcelona. Happy at how it has all worked out and genuinely surprised by the amount of affection and kind words he has received from both his peers and fans, he spoke about the emotion of the past few hours, some of the memorable moments of his career in the Beautiful Game and his plans for the future.

Did you wake up this morning thinking, “I am now an ex-soccer player?”

I woke up just the same as I do every day. This hasn’t been something that happened from one day to the next. It’s been a mental process in which I’ve been getting myself used to the idea. I woke up happy and content after having seen everything that happened on Tuesday.

On the subject of getting up, in Tuesday’s event when the end of your playing days was announced, our good friend Luis Martín noted that you had remained active, playing into your 40s. Speaking from my own personal experience here, doesn’t every part of your body ache when you get up in the morning?

Sure, of course it does. I’ve already started feeling pains in the morning. Every day it gets harder. The older you get, the harder it is to recover after games.

How many times have you thought about retiring in the past?

This was the first time when I definitely thought that’s it. Up until now, I couldn’t really visualize it. Since I went over to Japan I have been aware that this would possibly be the last step and then later with Emirates. I already had the idea of looking to do something else and started studying for my coaching license. I could have continued playing, but what excites me more is leaving it and starting something new.

What did you learn in Japan apart from sampling the best sushi and learning a few words of a new language?

The sushi here in Spain is really good, but over there it’s another level and I know how to say a few phrases in Japanese, but not enough to maintain a conversation. What really surprised me was the competitiveness and how well organized everything is.

But without Javier Tebas…

Well, they have another president out there. They have a very rigid way of doing things. The fans have a huge respect for soccer.

Iniesta’s difficult start in a new city, far from his hometown and friends

Looking back to the beginning, what was the name of that really talented player who you were teammates with at youth level but unlike you, he never made it?

I started out aged 12 with a very good player from Extremadura who was called Jorge Troiteiro. He was the golden boy of that generation.

What position did he play?

Attacking midfielder, left-footed, technically he was incredible. He ended up turning professional and playing for a club. But there have been a lot of players like him. It might seem that success is only winning a World Cup, but there are a lot of talented players who fall by the wayside along the way. To get to the top level, the elite, you need a lot of things.

Having a level head is probably the most important of all, right?

Being strong mentally, your surroundings… everything.

You were brave enough to speak out about depression. Did it affect you leaving Fuentealbilla to move to Barcelona at such a young age?

Of course it affects you. I had a really bad time and you pay a price for that in one way or another further down the road. On my first night, I phoned home crying and if my mother hadn’t stopped my dad from getting in the car and coming to get me, I don’t know where I’d be now.

Has the taboo subject of mental illness in sport been broken with your case or that of Simone Biles?

Maybe, but the difference is that now there are more ways of treating it, detecting it and getting help. I spoke out to get support that didn’t exist in the past. You need to allow yourself to get help.

Getting back to soccer, in what positions did you play when you were a kid?

We played 3-4-3 and I played in all of the midfield positions in the rhombus - out wide and in a holding role.

Iniesta’s glory years at Barcelona

That’s what I was getting at. Beyond the famous games that everyone knows you for (2010 World Cup, the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, the Copa del Rey final...), what really impressed me was watching you play as a defensive midfielder at AC Milan’s ground.

I hadn’t done that since the youth team. I played in that position against Benfica as well, but that particular night was really special.

That’s putting it lightly. I couldn’t agree more…

That night I was up against [Gennaro] Gattuso and [Clarence] Seedorf. Edmilson and [Rafa] Márquez were the first-choice in that position and they couldn’t play. Later on, Edmilson started the final in Paris alongside [Mark] Van Bommel and I was on the bench.

Luckily you came on for the second half. They would have destroyed us...

Well, you say that...

The 2009 Champions League final in Rome, how do you go about playing a game when you are injured and knowing that you’re not able to shoot?

There was a risk that I could have suffered a serious injury by shooting. But I hadn’t started the Paris final. I played as well as I could, even if it meant going a bit crazy. If I was able to run, sprint and pass the ball, I could play. But I ended up shooting right at the end of the game.

By which time it was all said and done.

If I did my knee, it didn’t really matter by then. It was a bit crazy but it all turned out well.

Some say that Pedri is the most similar player to you but what do you think about Aitana Bonmatí?

Yes, she reminds me of me. I have watched her a lot and have thought the same. I followed the examples set by [Michael] Laudrup and [Pep] Guardiola. There are similarities. Barça’s system helps too.

Does Barça’s women’s team remind you of anything?

I watch them a lot and the national team as well. They’ve won everything and in style. They are a brilliant team.

Have you played soccer again since the final game of your career?

Only with my kids.

Are you one of those retired players who will never play another game of soccer - not even with the Legends team?

One game’s not the same as 40.

So you will then?

Yes, sure, I’ll play with the Legends. A game every now and then would be nice.

With Barça, I’d imagine...

Of course.

Finally, just to make it clear to [AS journalist/diehard Madrid fan, Tomás] Roncero, who is dying to know, are you a Real Madrid fan?

No, no way. A lot of things have been said that aren’t true, such as me having signed pre-contracts. Tell him to get over it.