Kobe: Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta said that it would be difficult for him to watch his former teammate Lionel Messi donning some other jersey than that of Barcelona.
Iniesta and Messi have shared the same dressing room for 14 years symbiotically making each other the legends in the Blaugrana colours.
Both Messi and Iniesta have together won almost all the club accolades, including record twin trebles and a sextuple before the latter leaving for a Japanese expedition in 2018 to play for Vissel Kobe. Messi departed the Catalan city this week for Paris Saint-Germain after spending close to two decades in Spain.
“It will be difficult to see him in another shirt than that of Barca,” said Iniesta. “I don’t know if surprise is the right word — Leo really has represented Barca for so many years. But sometimes circumstances dictate things. I don’t have the inside track but it is a situation people will just have to deal with,” said Iniesta, who left Barcelona at the same age as Messi.
“As a player he just transcended everything. I’ve not seen a player like him — and I don’t think I ever will. You look at what he did and for so long.” Although Iniesta agreed that Messi’s departure has left a huge void in the team, the Spaniard believed that Barcelona can overcome it and reach the heights again.
🔛🎙️🏟️#PSGxMESSI pic.twitter.com/KWnyT9TmyI
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 11, 2021
“I am confident of that — new faces are coming in who will make their own major contributions,” he added. Iniesta, who has agreed on a two-year extension with Vissel Kobe, didn’t specify whether it would be the last stint of his football career.
“Every year it does take it out of you more and things get more complicated but as long as you really want to get out there, train and play then you keep going,” said the Japanese Emperor’s Cup and Super Cup winner.
On being asked if he would return to Barcelona, Iniesta didn’t rule out the possibility but also was unable to shed light on his role. “Ofcourse it would be great to go back. I spent many years there. It’s my home and I would like to be where one feels loved, respected and at ease.
“But I don’t know what will be my next step. I don’t know if I will be a coach, sporting director or anything like that. I’ll only say that if you ask: would I like to go back, I’d say ‘yes’ as Barcelona is our home. Time will tell,” said Iniesta,
Iniesta, who has played almost over 700 matches in the Blaugrana colours, has been a major missing ever since he left. With talks of Xavi returning to Camp Nou in a non-playing role and Iniesta also hinting at something similar, it would bring nothing but good things to the club if happens.
