Lionel Messi's Touching Tribute to Andres Iniesta as Spanish Midfielder Announces Retirement

Lionel Messi shared a touching tribute to his former Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta, following the announcement of the Spanish midfielder's retirement from professional football on Monday (Oct 7). Iniesta, a true legend of the game, leaves behind a legacy of success that includes FIFA World Cup and Euro victories (2008, 2012) as well as numerous club titles like the Champions League and La Liga. The duo, who forged a formidable partnership during their time at Barcelona, shared many incredible moments on the pitch together.

“One of the teammates with the most magic and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most. The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us...I wish you the best always. You’re a phenomenon,” Messi's Instagram story read.

Messi and Iniesta shared the same dressing between 2005 and 2018 as the two greats won an unprecedented four Champions League titles during that time. They also won two trebles in 2009 and 2015 which highlighted their dominance. During Pep Guardiola's reign between 2008 and 2012, Barcelona were at the peak of its power as they reached the Champions League semifinal in all editions while winning the title in 2009 and 2011.

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They would win four La Liga titles during that period as Barcelona’s core team also dominated the Spanish national side. Iniesta’s biggest highlight during that period was the stoppage winner against Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal second leg at Stamford Bridge in 2009.

A year later he would create history by scoring the winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands as he scripted history on multiple fronts. Iniesta was part of the Spanish side that won the Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. Interestingly, he was part of the Spanish side in 2012 which brought the concept of “False-9” while playing tiki-taka football with Barcelona at club level.