Tears of a legend: Iniesta wells up in front of his wife, kids and Barca team-mates as he confirms he's quitting after 22 YEARS - but he rules out move to Premier League or another Euro club
Tears of a legend: Iniesta wells up in front of his wife, kids and Barca team-mates as he confirms he's quitting after 22 YEARS - but he rules out move to Premier League or another Euro club
Andres Iniesta has confirmed that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, bringing an end to his time at the Nou Camp after 22 years.
During an emotional press conference in front of team-mates including Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic, a tearful Iniesta revealed his decision to quit La Liga. He is expected to join Chinese Super League side Chongqing Dangdai.
The move has been widely reported for some time, with Iniesta also left in tears after being substituted in last week's 5-0 Copa del Rey final win over Sevilla.
A tearful Andres Iniesta confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the current season
Iniesta couldn't hide his emotions as he spoke to the media during a press conference
The legendary midfielder struggles to hold it together as he calls time on his Barca career
Iniesta wipes his nose as he thanks the club and discusses his future beyond Barcelona
President Josep Maria Bartomeu watches the press conference with Iniesta's wife and kids
Gerard Pique (left) and Sergi Roberto were among the Barca players to watch Iniesta speak
Barcelona's players and staff join journalists for Iniesta's press conference on Friday afternoon
With his wife and children watching in a packed-out press room at the Nou Camp, Iniesta initially struggled to compose himself as he admitted this season would be his last with the Spanish giants.
'We arrived 25 years ago in our family car,' he said of his trip to Barcelona's La Masia youth academy with his parents and grandparents to trial for the club.
'Now they are here with me as I say goodbye. That journey was emotional but it was also terrible because then I ended up here on my own and I was only 12 years old! But evidently it was worth it.'
The 33-year-old failed to confirm his move to the Far East but did rule out a switch to Europe despite interest from Premier League champions Manchester City and former boss Pep Guardiola.
'This is my last season here,' Iniesta said, in front of the first team squad, with only Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez absent.
'I have thought my decision through for a long time. For me, Barca is the best club in the world - this club has given me everything.
'It's a very difficult day for me, to be here saying goodbye when I've spent my whole life here at Barcelona. A great deal of who I am, is down to Barça and La Masia - I am very thankful to them.
'To all Cules, who have seen me grown as a player, and accompanied me in the good and bad times, thank you.
'All the options that are not in Europe are possible. But in Europe, no, because I have always said that I will not play against Barcelona.'
He added: 'I'd like to be remembered as a good footballer and a good person, because when our football days are over, that's all we are - people.'
Iniesta has spent all of his senior career at Barcelona and is their most decorated player ever along with Lionel Messi, having lifted 31 trophies. The number will rise to 32 if Barca clinch the Liga title on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna.
Iniesta smiles during training on Friday morning, shortly before his press conference
Iniesta lifts the Copa del Rey trophy after Barcelona's 5-0 win against Sevilla last weekend
Iniesta scored Barcelona's fourth goal against Sevilla to help put them on course for the double
Lionel Messi holds the Champions League trophy with Iniesta after victory in Rome in 2009
He first said he could leave Barca after their 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League on March 14, telling reporters he had to decide whether to accept an offer from China by the end of April.
He was given a standing ovation by both sets of supporters when he was taken off after a man of the match display - which included his side's fourth goal - against Sevilla last Saturday.
He added: 'If I had to choose just one moment (In his Barcelona career)? There's been so many great ones - trophies and successes, but the most significant moment for me was making my Barca debut.
'Not winning the Ballon d'Or isn't a thorn in my side or something which I regret. The magic I've been through as a player is enough for me, that's what I have gained happiness from.
'I've been lucky - with all the coaches and team mates I've had in my career. They made me a better player and a better person.
Xavi lifts the Copa del Rey with Iniesta in 2015 following victory against Athletic Bilbao
The legendary midfielder poses with Spain's Most Valuable Player award in December last year
He scored 57 goals in 669 appearances for Barcelona, including this one at Mallorca in 2006
'For me, it's been an honour and a privilege to play in so many games with (Lionel) Messi because there is no one quite like him. It's been magic, a one-off - that's the only way I can describe it.'
Iniesta remains one of the most loved footballers in Spain after he scored the only goal in the 2010 World Cup final when they beat Holland to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
He is also remembered for his touching tribute to his friend, the late Espanyol player Dani Jarque, after scoring the winning goal, ripping off his shirt to reveal a t-shirt saying 'Dani Jarque, always with us.'
He also won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and is routinely given a standing ovation at every ground he plays for Barca. He even gets a positive reception when playing at hated rivals Real Madrid.
Iniesta is a hero in Spain after scoring the winner for his country in the 2010 World Cup final
The midfielder holds the Spanish league trophy in 2009 (left) and celebrates a goal last week
Iniesta was applauded off the stage after speaking about his career and plans for the future
Born in the village of Fuentealbilla in Albacete province, Iniesta moved to Barcelona's youth academy in 1996, aged 12.
He later described the day he joined the academy as the worst moment of his life, due to the pain he felt at being apart from his family.
The sacrifice, however, paid off as he became one of the club's best ever players.
Iniesta has made 669 appearances in all competitions for the club since making his debut aged 18 in a Champions League game at Club Bruges in October, 2002 when Louis van Gaal was Barcelona coach.
Iniesta lifts the World Cup with Spain in Johannesburg after scoring the only goal of the game
Iniesta goes wild after scoring against Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-finals
Cristiano Ronaldo and Iniesta are pulled apart during El Clasico at the Nou Camp back in 2010
He has won four Champions League titles, six Copa del Rey trophies and eight La Liga titles, in addition to one World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.
He will be part of the Spain squad at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after which he is set to retire from international football.
The only trophy that escaped Iniesta's grasp was the Ballon d'Or award, given to the best player in the world each season.
Iniesta was runner-up in 2010 and came third in 2012, although the organisers of the award, the France Football magazine, dedicated an editorial to the midfielder this week, declaring: 'Of all the absences on the list of Ballon d'Or winners, his is particularly painful.'
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