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Spain and Barcelona Great Iniesta Announces Retirement after 22-Year Career

Spanish soccer player Andrés Iniesta arrives for a press conference held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 08 October 2024. (EPA)
Spanish soccer player Andrés Iniesta arrives for a press conference held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 08 October 2024. (EPA)
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Spain and Barcelona Great Iniesta Announces Retirement after 22-Year Career

Spanish soccer player Andrés Iniesta arrives for a press conference held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 08 October 2024. (EPA)
Spanish soccer player Andrés Iniesta arrives for a press conference held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 08 October 2024. (EPA)

Andrés Iniesta, who scored Spain's World Cup-winning goal in 2010 and was one of the key players who made Barcelona's tiki-taka thrive for so long, announced his retirement from soccer on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old Iniesta ended a 22-year career that also included two European Championship titles and four Champions Leagues trophies.

“I never expected that this day would come,” an emotional Iniesta said. "I never imagined it."

Since leaving Barcelona in 2018, he had been playing with Vissel Kobe in Japan, and for the last year with club Emirates in the UAE Pro League.

Iniesta made his first-team debut with Barcelona in 2002 and made 674 appearances.

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Neymar Says Saudi Arabia Can Host Exceptional FIFA World Cup in 2034

Neymar toured the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Exhibition, held in Riyadh. Photo: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Neymar toured the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Exhibition, held in Riyadh. Photo: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation
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Neymar Says Saudi Arabia Can Host Exceptional FIFA World Cup in 2034

Neymar toured the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Exhibition, held in Riyadh. Photo: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Neymar toured the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Exhibition, held in Riyadh. Photo: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation

Brazilian star of Al-Hilal FC Neymar Jr. expressed his admiration for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, emphasizing that the Kingdom has the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to organize an exceptional World Cup.
His remarks came during his tour of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Exhibition, held in Riyadh.
"I think the bid is one of the best projects I have ever seen in my life. It has all the potential to be the best World Cup ever," Neymar said.
He highlighted that the Kingdom’s bid for the global event has been meticulously planned to ensure the best experience for both players and fans alike.
"Everything in this bid is designed to serve football. They are thinking about the players so that there are no long flights and travel times during the World Cup. This ensures easy movement between stadiums and hotels, giving players ample time to recover between matches and perform at their best,” Neymar said.
He also expressed his admiration for the Kingdom from the moment he arrived, noting the respect and enthusiasm in Saudi society for hosting top global stars in the ROSHN Saudi League.
The Brazilian star shared his deep appreciation for the warm welcome and is optimistic that many more international players will have the opportunity to enjoy a similar experience in the future.