Iniesta to leave Barcelona at the end of the season

Andres Iniesta has confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after 22 years associated with the club. In a press conference attended by members of the first team and the club's board on Friday, Iniesta said he wanted to finish at Barca "feeling useful, feeling important and still winning titles". Iniesta is expected to continue his career in China but says his next move is yet to be finalised. The 33-year-old reiterated, however, he would never play against Barcelona.

Andrés Iniesta: "This is my last season here. For me, Barça is the best club in the world - this club has given me everything."#UCL #GraciasIniesta pic.twitter.com/1nmNsij7AJ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 27, 2018

After joining Barca's academy, La Masia, aged 12, Iniesta blossomed into one of the Catalans' greatest ever players, winning four Champions League and eight La Liga titles, and lifting the World Cup with Spain. Struggling to hold back the tears, Iniesta said: "I understand that in the near future I will not be able to give the best of myself in all senses, both physically and mentally. "If I had imagined finishing my career here, it would have been like this, feeling useful, feeling important and still winning titles. "It's a very difficult day for me because I've been here all my life and to say goodbye to my home and my life here is very hard."

Luis Enrique: "Andrés Iniesta's like Harry Potter. One, two, three and whoosh ... He's past the player. It's like he has a magic wand." #UCL pic.twitter.com/wWnMTSSJqM

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 27, 2018

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.

? Andrés Iniesta: "This is my last season here" Your legacy is infinite. #infinit8Iniesta pic.twitter.com/2ZBQxjyVFv

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2018

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.

? Iniesta: "My only aim was to be a success at this club and I have done that" #Infinit8Iniesta pic.twitter.com/c34WPrOcoP

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2018

"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."

1⃣6⃣ seasons.
2⃣2⃣ years.
3⃣1⃣ trophies.
6⃣6⃣9⃣ games.

One Andres Iniesta.

Barcelona will bid farewell to a legend.https://t.co/FsIMBkjvc0#FCB pic.twitter.com/z1lqhRVk9B

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 27, 2018