Lionel Messi pays tribute to ‘magical’ Andrés Iniesta

Lionel Messi has praised his former Barcelona teammate Andrés Iniesta as the legendary midfielder retires from football.

“One of the teammates with the most magic and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most,” Messi remarked.

“The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us,” he added.

Iniesta, now 40, shared an emotional video on social media on Monday, where he reflected on his football journey, stating he is stepping away from the game.

The video, titled “the game will go on,” featured tributes from his former bosses like Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique.

The Spanish icon, who scored the decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final, has had a remarkable career.

After spending the last phase of his career at UAE’s Emirates club, Iniesta has now decided not to extend his contract until 2025, retiring all together.

Having joined Barcelona’s academy at 12, Iniesta rose through the ranks, making his senior debut in 2002.

He played a vital role in a golden era for Barça, forming a legendary midfield alongside Xavi and Messi.

Iniesta collected numerous LaLiga and Champions League titles, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.