Andrés Iniesta bids farewell to football, a moment that has prompted reactions from various figures in the sports world, including teams like his longtime rival, Real Madrid, from his days wearing the blaugrana colors of FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid took the gesture of dedicating a message to the midfielder, recalling his historic goal that secured Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa 2010.

"Following Andrés Iniesta's announcement of his retirement from professional football, Real Madrid C.F., its president, and its Board of Directors wish to express their recognition, admiration, and affection for one of the great legends of Spanish and world football.

Andrés Iniesta has contributed to elevating this sport, not only through the numerous titles he has won throughout his career but also with his values. His iconic goal in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa will forever remain in the memory of all Spanish football fans.

Real Madrid wishes him and his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.”

What did Iniesta say during his farewell?

The former Barcelona player, deeply emotional, admitted he never thought “this day would come” during the event marking his retirement from professional football, held at the old IMAX cinema at Port Vell in Barcelona.

"I guess you'll allow me to get emotional today. But these are tears of joy, of pride, not sadness. These are the tears of that kid from Fuentealbilla who dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. And I did it, with a lot of work and effort, never giving up—values that have been essential in my life. I'm so proud of this journey, with all the people who have supported me along the way," he said with a trembling voice at the beginning of the event.

Iniesta’s farewell was attended by around 450 guests, including his wife Ana, their six children, his parents, and his sister—"My family has always been my driving force, my strength," he emphasized—as well as former Barça teammates such as Gerard Piqué, Xavi Hernández, Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco,’ Sergi Roberto, Marc Bartra, and Sergi Samper, who also played with him at Vissel Kobe in Japan.

Also present were representatives from the current Barça, including the first-team coach, Hansi Flick, players Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, and Dani Olmo, and the club’s president, Joan Laporta.

For over an hour, Iniesta shared memories of a long career that lasted until the age of 40, beginning with his journey from Fuentealbilla to Barcelona at the age of 12.

"La Masia changed me forever. It was the best place to be, to nurture the values you need in life. I’m grateful to everyone—teachers, teammates—it was a time that definitely shaped our lives. Coming to Barça was a dream, one I focused on because I was determined to make it happen," he recalled.

Throughout his speech, clips were shown featuring tributes from many of the coaches who shaped his career, from his early days in Albacete—"my other team," Iniesta noted—to working with figures such as Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, Louis Van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique Martínez, and Vicente del Bosque.

"All the coaches I've had, each in their time, played a very important role for me," said Iniesta, who scored two iconic goals: the winner in the 2010 World Cup final with the Spanish national team—"my second skin," he emphasized—and the dramatic goal at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea that sent Barça to the Champions League final.

"I can’t choose just one. One with the national team and one with Barça. I can't, and I don’t say this just to sound polite. I’ve had the privilege of scoring those two goals and seeing people go crazy in those moments. Personally, those are my two most powerful moments," he reflected.

Iniesta also spoke fondly of his final years in Japan, describing them as "wonderful" and a time that marked "a chapter in our family life" that they will never forget. "Japan will always hold a special place in our hearts," he summed up.

He hangs up his boots with 39 titles, without ever winning the Ballon d'Or, despite being regarded as one of the best midfielders in history—a distinction he came close to in 2010 when he shared the podium with Xavi and Messi, his Barça teammates.

However, Iniesta believes that titles—both collective and individual—are secondary: "The pride I feel isn’t about the titles, but about fulfilling my dream of becoming a footballer and earning the love of so many people. The image of Xavi, Leo, and I, the three of us on the podium for the Ballon d'Or, is bigger than winning it. Three guys from the same academy on that podium—that’s the real reward, not who won it."

Now he embarks on a new chapter, which, he assured, cannot be "far from football," while continuing to manage his business ventures and training as a coach. "It can’t be any other way because football has been my life," Iniesta insisted.