Lionel Messi Names Player With “Most Magic” He Played With at Barcelona

• Lionel Messi has dubbed retiring Andres Iniesta a "player with the most magic" after the midfielder announced his retirement
• The two shared nearly two trophy-filled decades at Barcelona after graduating from the La Masia Academy
• Iniesta also made over 100 appearances for Spain, famously winning the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 Euros

Andres Iniesta shared a video on social media which seemed to confirm his retirement from football at 40.

In the video titled "the game will go on", the World Cup winner emotionally spoke about what football means to him, with the likes of Pep Guardiola lauding the midfielder.

Lionel Messi paid a touching tribute to his former Barcelona teammate, calling him the most magical player he's played with.

Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 to join Vissel Kobe in Japan before joining Emirates Club in the UAE last season. The legendary midfielder bagged five goals, but the team was relegated.

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Messi and Iniesta won the Champions League together in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015 with Barcelona.

What Messi said about Iniesta

The Inter Miami superstar shared a moving message on Instagram, praising the Spanish icon.

“One of the teammates with the most magic and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most," Messi wrote on social media. “The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you’re a phenomenon."

The two players won a staggering nine La Liga titles together. Iniesta made over 900 club appearances, and scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final is perhaps his greatest achievement.

He also helped La Roja win back-to-back European titles in 2008 and 2012.

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Iniesta's stats for Barcelona

Iniesta broke into the senior Barcelona team in 2002 and went on to make almost 700 appearances, sharing the pitch with Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Carles Puyol, per ESPN.

He scored 57 goals and provided 135 assists during his time at the club but stats don't do justice to his talent and ability, per Transfermarkt.

He left Camp Nou in 2018 after winning 32 trophies.

Messi celebrates Inter Miami trophy

Briefly News earlier reported that Messi widely celebrated Inter Miami's MLS Supporters' Shield triumph.

In a video shared online, Inter Miami players and staff were on top of the world. The dressing room was filled with thrilled faces and champagne. Messi was in the corner, soaking it all in.

Source: TUKO.co.ke