Former Barcelona player Andres Iniesta sobbed as he declared his intention to leave Japan this summer.
After five years with Vissel Kobe, the midfielder will bid the club and its supporters farewell. The 39-year-old left his childhood club Barcelona and LaLiga and joined the team in the summer of 2018.
However, the 2010 World Cup winner with Spain is on the move again as he looks for more game time, according to TalkSport.
“It’s a very emotional day after so many years,” he said in a press conference to announce his departure.
“I tried to give my best on and off the pitch. I am very proud of that. “I was made to feel welcome here from the first day.”
Iniesta was left emotional and in tears which was also the case when he announced he would leave Barcelona in 2018 after 16 years at the club.
With his time at Kobe coming to an end due to lack of playing time, the Spain World Cup hero is not ready to hang his boots yet despite being 39.
According to him, while he has no idea where his next destination is, he is not looking to retire yet and wants to keep playing.
“I have to tell you the truth, I don’t know,” he said when asked which club he will be playing for next.
“I want to keep playing football,” he added. “I feel like I am capable of still playing. But as this chapter closes, we’ll see what’s possible. I want to finish my career on the pitch playing, and this is what I’m hoping to do.”
Iniesta has made just three substitute appearances this season for Vissel Kobe in the Japanese J.League.
