Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta’s move to J.League club Vissel Kobe was confirmed on Thursday at a specially arranged news conference in Tokyo.
Iniesta, 34, played his final game for Barcelona in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, leaving LaLiga’s champions after 16 trophy-laden seasons.
The star playmaker was heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League – Chongqing Lifan were widely viewed as the frontrunners – and Australia was also mooted as a possible destination.
But Vissel Kobe, whose club chairman Hiroshi Mikitani is also the chief executive of Japanese electronics company and Barcelona shirt sponsor Rakuten, have got their man.
“Iniesta is a top global player. Many of us here today remember Iniesta’s astounding goal in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,” Mikitani told reporters ahead of Iniesta’s presentation.
“We hope that he can contribute to our next generation of players.
“Also, giving fans the chance to watch Iniesta’s playing style we think will not just have a huge impact on Vissel Kobe but also on football in Japan and Asia.
“He will help us achieve our goal of becoming the number one club in Asia.
“He also has a huge social media profile and his presence here will help to promote Japanese football and the J.League worldwide.”
Regardless of what he achieves in Japan, Iniesta will be remembered for his remarkable career at Barcelona.
674 – Iniesta has featured 674 times in all competitions for Barcelona, more than any current player and second only to Xavi (767) in the club’s history.
459 – Of those 674 matches, Iniesta has been on the winning side 459 times, giving him a 68.1 win percentage.
18 – Iniesta was 18 years and 170 days old when he made his Barca debut in a Champions League clash with Club Brugge on October 29, 2002.
9 – The Barca icon has won nine LaLiga titles in 16 seasons, wrapping up his career at the club with a domestic double in the 2017-18 campaign.
70 – Iniesta has provided 70 assists in LaLiga. He recorded 16 of those in the 2012-13 season, finishing two assists clear of any other player in Europe’s top-five leagues.
35 – Although not regarded as much of a goalscorer, the Spaniard has found the net 35 times in the league for Barcelona.
9 – While never a Ballon d’Or winner, Iniesta has been included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI on nine occasions – only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have more appearances (11).
116 – Perhaps the finest moment of Iniesta’s glittering career came in the 116th minute of the 2010 World Cup final, his goal winning the tournament for Spain for the first time. He received the man of the match award as a result.
9 – Iniesta has played for nine different managers in LaLiga. He featured 149 times under Frank Rijkaard, more than under any other coach.
Photo: EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA