Football legend Lionel Messi gave an emotional homage to his old Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta, after he announced his retirement from professional football.
Messi, who is recognized as one of the best football players of all time, and Iniesta had a lot of special moments together, including winning many La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.
The great Lionel Messi of Argentina wrote a moving letter to Andres Iniesta, his former Barcelona teammate, announcing his retirement from professional football. Messi and Iniesta were a part of Barcelona’s heyday, when the team ruled European football and shared all club championships. On the field, the two had a perfect chemistry. Frequently, Iniesta would run through the midfield and find Messi in the goal area with the perfect pass.
On October 8, Iniesta, who won the 2010 World Cup for Spain, made the decision to hang up his boots. Throughout his career, he was identified with the number 8, as he wore the number 8 jersey in club football.
Eight times Winner of the Ballon d’Or Messi honored Iniesta, with whom he had many special moments on the field, including hoisting numerous La Liga and Champions League championships.
“One of my favorite teammates to play with, and the one with the most magic.” We, along with the ball, will miss you, Andres Iniesta! I’ll always wish you the best. On his Instagram story, Messi remarked, “You are a phenomenon.”
After graduating from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Iniesta made 674 appearances for the team before leaving in 2018. After joining the Barcelona senior team, Messi and Iniesta played together at La Masia and went on to dominate European football.
After Inter Miami recruited Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez—three of the Argentine’s former Barcelona teammates—there were rumors that Iniesta and Messi may play together again, but that didn’t work out.
Even though the opponent for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF squad has not yet been determined, Major League Soccer is already preparing for his MLS Cup playoff debut.
Inter Miami will play their first postseason game on October 25 at home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami won their first Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday, 3-2 over the Columbus Crew.
On the last day of regular-season play on October 19, the whole MLS Cup playoff bracket will be revealed.
In July 2023, Messi, 37, departed PSG and joined Major League Baseball. Despite missing making it to the MLS Cup playoffs, Inter Miami went on to win the League Cup. This is Messi’s 46th career trophy—the Supporters’ Shield.
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