Andres Iniesta confirms he wants to re-join Barcelona
Karan Tejwani
- 11 Oct 2022 12:25 BST
- 3 min read
Andres Iniesta has spoken about a possible return to Barcelona in the near future, as he approaches the final years of his playing career with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
Iniesta, now 38, spent 16 seasons playing for Barcelona’s senior team and won nine La Liga titles, the Champions League four times and the Copa del Rey six times.
He is one of Barcelona’s all-time greats, starring in midfield for two of their greatest teams: those that won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 under the management of former midfielder Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard left Barcelona in the summer of 2018 following the expiry of his contract, moving to Japanese side Vissel Kobe, but has now talked about a return to Catalonia.
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Iniesta eyes Barcelona return
He is now in his fifth season with the J. League club and while he has no immediate plans to return to Barcelona, he plans to at some point and in some way in the future.
"I'll spend another year here, then we'll see," Iniesta told Gazzetta Dello Sport. "I'd like to return to Barcelona, but I don't know which role. Coach, sporting director or other.
His legacy will forever be 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦. 💫
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Happy 36th birthday, @andresiniesta8! 💙🎂❤️#LaLigaIcons pic.twitter.com/ZpWitwI0tE— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) May 11, 2020
"In any case, I'll have to form myself. I still see myself as a footballer," he said, hinting that he doesn’t plan to hang up his boots anytime soon and has time left in him in the game.
Barcelona are on an upward trajectory in recent times, and have started the season well, sitting top of La Liga, and go into the weekend with a clash against second place and defending champions Real Madrid.
The club are currently managed by Iniesta’s former midfield partner Xavi, who has done well since taking over from Ronald Koeman and there is also another return planned for the club in the form of Lionel Messi, who left in 2021.
