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Iniesta has 'Big Goals' after Extending Career with Kobe

Vissel's Andres Iniesta dribbles the ball past Kashima's Kento Misao during the final of the 2019 Emperor's Cup on Jan. 1 at Tokyo's new National Stadium. Reuters
Vissel's Andres Iniesta dribbles the ball past Kashima's Kento Misao during the final of the 2019 Emperor's Cup on Jan. 1 at Tokyo's new National Stadium. Reuters
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Iniesta has 'Big Goals' after Extending Career with Kobe

Vissel's Andres Iniesta dribbles the ball past Kashima's Kento Misao during the final of the 2019 Emperor's Cup on Jan. 1 at Tokyo's new National Stadium. Reuters
Vissel's Andres Iniesta dribbles the ball past Kashima's Kento Misao during the final of the 2019 Emperor's Cup on Jan. 1 at Tokyo's new National Stadium. Reuters

Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta said Friday he wants to "achieve big goals" with Japan's Vissel Kobe after signing a two-year contract extension.

The former Barcelona maestro, who has battled back to action after a serious thigh injury, inked the two-year deal on Tuesday, his 37th birthday.

"What drives me is that I am motivated to work with Vissel Kobe to achieve big goals," he told an online press conference.

"I want to be the one to decide when I will retire. I do not want injuries to force me into retirement."

The World Cup-winning midfielder joined Kobe in 2018 in a deal worth a reported $30 million a year.

He helped Kobe, currently fifth in the 20-team J-League, reach the semi-finals of last year's Asian Champions League.

Iniesta, named Kobe's captain in April 2019, was sidelined for several months after he ruptured a tendon in his right thigh last December.

Following surgery in Barcelona, he was back training in April before returning to action in the J-League this month.

Iniesta said he aims "to bring my whole body and my game intuition to the top level and be ready to fight.”

"I am happy with where I am at as far as my condition is concerned... but I am still on my way towards reaching my top condition," he said.

After his arrival in Japan, Iniesta led Kobe to its first trophy -- the Japanese Super Cup title in 2020.

"This is a sign that our project is going in the right direction. What's important is that we will always achieve this high quality of work as a club," he said.

Iniesta has enjoyed huge popularity in Japan, with analysts estimating he has generated more than $100 million in ticket sales and merchandising revenue.

He has appeared in TV commercials for Japanese sake and mobile phone services.

Kobe's tech-billionaire owner, Hiroshi Mikitani, has said Iniesta's presence in Japan has helped improve the quality of the entire J-League.

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Sports

Spain Beat Peru 3-1 in Friendly as World Cup Fever Grips Puebla

Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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Spain Beat Peru 3-1 in Friendly as World Cup Fever Grips Puebla

Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Spain beat Peru 3-1 in their final World Cup warm-up match on Monday, giving thousands of fans in Puebla a glimpse of one of the tournament favorites days before the global showpiece begins.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring after two minutes with a fierce strike from the edge of the area before Pedri doubled the lead after the half-hour mark, tapping into an empty net following a cross from Ferran Torres.

Spain added a third early in the second half when Yeremy Pino's ‌delivery forced ‌an error from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, before Jairo ‌Velez ⁠pulled one back ⁠for Peru with a low finish.

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday, while 2010 champions Spain open their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15.

World Cup fever was evident around the stadium in Puebla, where Spain shirts dominated the stands alongside Barcelona jerseys, reflecting the club's strong representation in Luis de la ⁠Fuente's squad.

Peru supporters were outnumbered but remained vocal ‌throughout the evening.

Pedri, Rodri and Ferran ‌Torres drew some of the loudest cheers as fans broke into ‌chants and performed Mexican waves around the stadium.

World Cup merchandise ‌stalls lined the streets outside, while heavy security protocols did little to dampen the festive atmosphere.

"It was a match to build momentum, and we've managed to do just that," Pedri told reporters. "I didn’t realize ‌they loved me so much here in Mexico."

Oyarzabal's opener extended his scoring streak with Spain to ⁠six consecutive ⁠games and he said he hoped to make it seven when the World Cup begins.

"I'm happy and I try to help in any way I can," Oyarzabal said. "What has made things go well for us is that as a group we know what we have to do and we trust each other."

Coach De la Fuente welcomed another convincing display but played down suggestions that Spain were clear favorites for the title.

"Being recognized as favorites guarantees nothing," he said. "We have confidence in ourselves and in the way we play, but there are many other national teams with the same quality and ability as us."

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Scotland’s Robertson Carries Jota’s Dream to World Cup

Scotland captain Andy Robertson (R) and late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. (Getty Images)
Scotland captain Andy Robertson (R) and late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. (Getty Images)
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Scotland’s Robertson Carries Jota’s Dream to World Cup

Scotland captain Andy Robertson (R) and late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. (Getty Images)
Scotland captain Andy Robertson (R) and late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. (Getty Images)

Scotland captain Andy Robertson ‌said he will be playing for former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota at the World Cup after receiving a letter from the late Portuguese forward's widow ahead of the tournament.

After Scotland sealed World Cup qualification in November, Robertson had said his thoughts immediately turned to Jota, who died aged 28 in a car accident last July.

On Monday, Robertson shared a message ‌from Rute ‌Cardoso as part of FIFA's "Letters ‌That ⁠Unite" feature.

"Diogo often ⁠spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams," the letter read.

"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the ⁠two of you nurtured side by ‌side with the ‌same passion with which you took to the pitch.

"When ‌I heard your words and learnt what ‌you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realized that Diogo never truly left ‌the pitch.

"By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World ⁠Cup, ⁠you won’t be going alone; you'll be taking his dream with you too."

After reading the letter, Robertson said Jota would be at the front of his mind when he leads Scotland at their first World Cup in 28 years.

"I'm not only just playing for me, I'm playing for both of us," he added.

Scotland open their Group C campaign against Haiti in Boston on June 13 before taking on Morocco and Brazil.

Sports

Roger Federer Will Return to the US Open to Take Part in an Exhibition Event

Roger Federer, of Switzerland, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Andy Murray, of Britain, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. (AP)
Roger Federer, of Switzerland, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Andy Murray, of Britain, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. (AP)
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Roger Federer Will Return to the US Open to Take Part in an Exhibition Event

Roger Federer, of Switzerland, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Andy Murray, of Britain, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. (AP)
Roger Federer, of Switzerland, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Andy Murray, of Britain, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. (AP)

Roger Federer will play in an exhibition at the US Open this year, returning to the Grand Slam tournament that he is the only player to win five consecutive times.

Days before being enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Federer will play in New York on Aug. 25. The event, titled “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York,” also will include Andy Roddick, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi. It was announced Monday by the US Tennis Association.

Roddick won the 2003 US Open, the year before Federer started dominating the event. He won every one from 2004-08 as part of his 20 Grand Slam singles titles.

Federer last played the US Open in 2019.

“So many unforgettable moments of my career happened in New York, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is a place that means a great deal to me," he said in a statement. “I’ve missed being part of that atmosphere and feeling the incredible energy that the fans bring every year.”

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 29 in Newport, Rhode Island.

The USTA said there will be further announcements about the lineup for the event, which is during the week before singles play in the tournament begins.