Andres Iniesta confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after 22 years associated with the club.
Andres Iniesta takes his place among Barca legends pic.twitter.com/4cdj3xjSgi
Iniesta s short speech was greeted by applause and the congratulations are likely to continue on Sunday, when he can collect his ninth La Liga title. Barcelona need only a point against Deportivo La Coruna to be crowned champions.
It would secure a domestic double in Iniesta ´s farewell campaign, after a thumping win over Sevilla clinched the Copa del Rey last weekend.
In what was his last cup final with Barca, Iniesta capped a typically elegant performance at the Wanda Metropolitano with a wonderful finish, shimmying past goalkeeper David Soria and tapping in his 57th club goal, on his 669th appearance.
He would not be short of offers this summer from the world’s elite clubs but Iniesta said that to avoid facing Barca, he will not be staying in Europe.
“There are things to talk about, things to finalise,” Iniesta said.
“The only thing I have always said is I would never compete against my club so all scenarios that are not in Europe are possible.“