Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi, has penned an emotional tribute to former Barcelona team-mate, Andres Iniesta, who has taken the decision to retire.
Iniesta is set to bring down the curtains on an illustrious career at 40.
The former Spain midfielder scored the winner as his country won the 2010 World Cup and also lifted two European Championships with La Roja.
At club level, he made 674 appearances for Barca and won nine LaLiga titles and the Champions League on four occasions.
Iniesta left for Japanese side Vissel Kobe in 2018 and has most recently been playing for the Emirates Club in the UAE.
Iniesta has teased his retirement – which will be confirmed on October 8, in a nod towards his iconic shirt number – in a video on social media.
And Messi wrote on Instagram: “One of the team-mates with the most magic and of the one’s I enjoyed playing together the most.
“Andres Iniesta, the ball will miss you and so will we! I wish you the best, always. You are a phenomenon.”
One of the best team-mates – Messi reacts as Iniesta retires from football at 40
