Watch: Andres Iniesta confirms retirement from professional football

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Midfield maestro Andrés Iniesta has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40. After spending months as a free agent following his departure from Emirates FC Club, Iniesta has chosen to hang up his boots, concluding an illustrious career spanning more than a decade.

Having scored the winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, famously strucking the Jabulani ball into the back of the net against the Netherlands to secure a first ever World Cup for Spain, Iniesta solidified himself as one of the most beloved footballers in Spanish soccer history.

He played vital roles in winning the UEFA Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Following his debut for Barcelona in the early 2000’s given by then coach Louis Van Gaal in the no. 34 shirt, Iniesta went on to thrive for La Blaugrana under coaches such as Rijkaard, and turning world-class under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

The Spanish midfielder formed part of a midfield trio alongside Sergio Busquets and Xavi Hernandez which stunned the world and was the heart of Pep Guardiola’s successful Barcelona. He won an impressive nine La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, six Copa del Rey trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and seven Spanish Super Cups.

Watch Andres Iniesta confirm his retirement from professional football

Photo: Kenta Harada/Getty Images

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