Sport
Messi Honors Iniesta’s Magical Career as He Retires at 40
Lionel Messi, the star of Inter Miami, has shared a heartfelt tribute to his former Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta, who has decided to retire from professional football at the age of 40.
Iniesta, renowned for his remarkable skill and vision on the field, leaves behind a legacy that few players can match.
Iniesta’s career is one of the most illustrious in football history.
He played a pivotal role in Spain’s success on the international stage, scoring the unforgettable goal that secured his country’s 2010 World Cup victory.
He also helped Spain win two European Championships, further cementing his place as a football legend.
At the club level, Iniesta spent the majority of his career at Barcelona, where he made 674 appearances.
During his time there, he won nine La Liga titles and lifted the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy four times.
His influence on the pitch was undeniable, often creating moments of magic that mesmerized both fans and opponents alike.
In 2018, Iniesta moved on from Barcelona, joining Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he continued to showcase his skills.
Most recently, he played for Emirates Club in the UAE.
However, after years of thrilling football fans around the world, Iniesta has decided to hang up his boots.
His official retirement, which was hinted at in a video on social media, will be confirmed on October 8 – a symbolic gesture that nods to his famous shirt number.
Reflecting on their time together at Barcelona, Messi shared his admiration for Iniesta.
In an Instagram post, Messi wrote about how much he cherished playing alongside the Spanish maestro, describing him as one of the most magical players he has ever had the privilege to team up with.
Messi added that both the ball and his teammates will deeply miss Iniesta’s presence on the field, wishing him all the best in his future endeavors and calling him a true phenomenon.
Iniesta’s retirement marks the end of an era, as one of football’s most graceful and intelligent midfielders takes his final bow from the sport that he has graced for decades.
His legacy, however, will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of football fans everywhere.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has urged his former club to go after one of his favorite strikers, Julian Alvarez, during the summer transfer window. After ending the 2024/25 season without winning any major trophies, Arsenal is looking to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad, especially in the attacking department. The club has been linked with top names like Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, and Liam Delap. But Henry believes Alvarez, currently playing for Atletico Madrid, is the kind of number nine Arsenal needs.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football, he said, “We need a proper striker. Julian Alvarez is one of my favorite nines right now. He’s got everything—pressing, strength, and that free-kick he scored the other day? Top class.” Henry also praised Alvarez’s work rate and mentality, pointing out that the forward never complains about being tired despite playing in both the Copa America and the Olympics.
“He’s got that hunger and energy. He can play any kind of game. I just really like how he goes about it,” Henry added. “Can Arsenal actually get him? I’m not sure, but I’d love to see it happen.”
Manchester United have reportedly received a massive £80 million bid from Al Hilal for their captain, Bruno Fernandes. The Saudi club is pulling out all the stops to land the Portuguese star, offering him a tempting four-year deal worth £21 million a year. Talks are said to be ongoing as Al Hilal push hard to bring Fernandes to the Middle East this summer.
Despite his strong performance in United’s recent 2-0 win over Aston Villa, where manager Ruben Amorim praised him as a key figure, Fernandes’ future remains uncertain. United’s disappointing season—finishing 15th in the league and losing the Europa League final to Spurs—has raised questions about whether the midfielder will stay at Old Trafford.
Ten home-based Super Eagles players and their officials landed in London on Monday ahead of the Unity Cup invitational tournament.
Those already in camp include team captain Ahmed Musa, along with Ifeanyi Oyebuchi, Papa Daniel, Nduka Junior, Sadiq Ismaila, and Waliu Ojetoye — all invited by head coach Eric Chelle.
Others in the squad are Collins Ugwueze, Saviour Isaac, Abubakar Adamu, and Sikiru Alimi. They are expected to be joined later today by their teammates from Europe.
The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against long-time rivals, the Black Stars of Ghana, at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford on Wednesday. Jamaica’s Reggae Boys and Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors are also part of the four-nation tournament.
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