Vissel Kobe's Andres Iniesta says he will relish the 'honour' of facing former club Barcelona in friendly clash
5 years, 5 months ago

Vissel Kobe's Andres Iniesta says he will relish the 'honour' of facing former club Barcelona in friendly clash

Firstpost  

World Cup-winning Iniesta, who lifted 32 major trophies with Barcelona, signed for Kobe last May in a historic J-League deal worth a reported $30 million a year. Kobe: Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is looking forward to taking on his former teammates when his Vissel Kobe meets Barcelona this weekend for a friendly, saying on Friday the face-off will be “an honour.” The match on Saturday in the Japanese city of Kobe will be a reunion of sorts, with Barcelona’s current line-up facing ex-teammates Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper, all now Vissel players. The friendly is Barca’s last match in Japan before they head home, and midfielder Sergio Busquets said the chance to meet Iniesta on the pitch “means a lot” to the players. We will fight with full strength.” The match comes after Chelsea defeated Barcelona 2-1 in their friendly in Saitama north of Tokyo earlier this week in a game that saw the unofficial debuts of World Cup-winning French striker Antoine Griezmann and former Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

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History of this topic

Lionel Messi pays emotional tribute to Andres Iniesta as Spaniard announces retirement - with forward sharing throwback snap from duo's iconic Barcelona days
3 months ago

Lionel Messi pays emotional tribute to Andres Iniesta as Spaniard announces retirement - with forward sharing throwback snap from duo's iconic Barcelona days

Daily Mail  

Messi is one of the famous faces who have given their best to the midfielder Iniesta confirmed his retirement on Tuesday after Messi had paid tribute Lionel Messi has paid tribute to former team-mate Andres Iniesta after the Spain and Barcelona legend edged closer to his retirement before the news was officially announced on Tuesday. Lionel Messi has paid an …

Andres Iniesta expected to confirm retirement after emotional social media post
3 months ago

Andres Iniesta expected to confirm retirement after emotional social media post

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Andres Iniesta broke down in tears in an …

Messi's promised Barca contract, on a napkin, up for auction
10 months ago

Messi's promised Barca contract, on a napkin, up for auction

The Hindu  

To the untrained eye, it might look like just another used napkin. Last December, a set of six shirts worn by the number 10 during Argentina's victorious Qatar World Cup campaign in 2022 sold for $7.8 million at auction at Sotheby's, exceeding estimates. The story of the napkin has already been told many times in profiles of "Leo" Messi, one …

Juan Mata Eyeing Silverware With Vissel Kobe Following J-League Switch
1 year, 4 months ago

Juan Mata Eyeing Silverware With Vissel Kobe Following J-League Switch

News 18  

Former Manchester United and Spain midfielder Juan Mata set his sights on winning the J-League title on Sunday after joining Andres Iniesta’s former Japanese club Vissel Kobe. I will try my best to try to win another league title,… pic.twitter.com/oqxPEqPB1m — Juan Mata García September 3, 2023 Iniesta left Kobe in July after five years, having joined from Barcelona in …

Andres Iniesta jumps on the Gulf bandwagon, ‘opens new page’ with Emirates FC
1 year, 4 months ago

Andres Iniesta jumps on the Gulf bandwagon, ‘opens new page’ with Emirates FC

Firstpost  

Iniesta is the latest star to join the exodus to the energy-rich Gulf where Saudi Arabia has been setting the pace with the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta on Wednesday became the latest marquee name to commit his career finale to the Gulf by signing …

FC Barcelona Legend, Andres Iniesta Set to Make Switch to UAE Club, Emirates FC
1 year, 5 months ago

FC Barcelona Legend, Andres Iniesta Set to Make Switch to UAE Club, Emirates FC

News 18  

FC Barcelona and Spanish legend, Andres Iniesta is set to make his next move to the Middle East. After making the switch to the Japanese club, Vissel Kobe, Iniesta is set to sign for the UAE club, Emirates FC which is based out of Ras-Al-Khaimah. The four-time Champions League, World Cup and Euros winner, Iniesta is set to sign for …

Andres Iniesta says farewell to Japanese soccer with rare start for Vissel Kobe
1 year, 6 months ago

Andres Iniesta says farewell to Japanese soccer with rare start for Vissel Kobe

Hindustan Times  

Andres Iniesta said goodbye to Japanese soccer on Saturday with his first league start of the season as title-chasing Vissel Kobe had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Consadole Sapporo. Vissel Kobe's Andres Iniesta controls the ball during the J-League football match between Vissel Kobe and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo The 39-year-old midfielder joined Kobe from Barcelona in …

Spain Legend Andres Iniesta Plays Farewell Game for Vissel Kobe
1 year, 6 months ago

Spain Legend Andres Iniesta Plays Farewell Game for Vissel Kobe

News 18  

Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta played his last game for Japanese club Vissel Kobe on Saturday, as he prepares to continue his illustrious career elsewhere. Iniesta made over 600 appearances for Barcelona, winning the Champions League four times and claiming nine La Liga titles before joining Kobe in 2018. “Thank you Iniesta for playing for Vissel Kobe for many years,” …

Barcelona beats Kobe 2-0 in Iniesta send-off
1 year, 7 months ago

Barcelona beats Kobe 2-0 in Iniesta send-off

The Hindu  

Spanish champions Barcelona cruised past Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe 2-0 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after completing their domestic season. Kobe went on to make a game of it, and Iniesta hit the side-netting before Koya Yuruki drew a fantastic double save out of Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena. Iniesta joined Vissel in 2018 after …

Andres Iniesta to Leave Japan's Vissel Kobe but Determined to Play on
1 year, 7 months ago

Andres Iniesta to Leave Japan's Vissel Kobe but Determined to Play on

News 18  

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta said Thursday he will make an early exit from Japanese side Vissel Kobe but intends to keep playing aged 39. The Spanish World Cup winner’s contract with Vissel runs until the end of the year but a tearful Iniesta said he will leave in July after seeing little action this season. That’s difficult for me to …

Andres Iniesta reveals he would 'love' to return to Barcelona
2 years, 2 months ago

Andres Iniesta reveals he would 'love' to return to Barcelona

Daily Mail  

Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has admitted that he would 'love' a return to the club after finishing his contract with Japanese side Vissel Kobe. Iniesta and current Barcelona manager Xavi were widely considered as one of the best midfield pairings in history after they won everything at domestic and international levels with the LaLiga giants and Spain. Andres Iniesta …

Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe Fire Manager After Poor J-League Start
2 years, 9 months ago

Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe Fire Manager After Poor J-League Start

News 18  

Andres Iniesta’s Japanese team Vissel Kobe have fired manager Atsuhiro Miura after a seven-game winless start to the new J-League season. Miura led Vissel to a third-place finish in last season’s J-League and to the semi-finals of the 2020 AFC Champions League but he has failed to win a trophy for the big-spending club. “I’ve been involved in the big …

Japanese club Vissel Kobe Plans Crowdfunded Andres Iniesta Statue
2 years, 11 months ago

Japanese club Vissel Kobe Plans Crowdfunded Andres Iniesta Statue

News 18  

Japan’s richest football club Vissel Kobe want to build a bronze statue of World Cup-winning star player Andres Iniesta — and are launching a crowdfunding project to pay for it. Former Barcelona maestro Iniesta joined Kobe in 2018 in a deal worth a reported $30 million a year, and signed a two-year contract extension last spring. The club has asked …

He's Staying! Andres Iniesta Extends Vissel Kobe Contract by Two Years
3 years, 7 months ago

He's Staying! Andres Iniesta Extends Vissel Kobe Contract by Two Years

News 18  

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said on Tuesday he has extended his contract with Vissel Kobe by another two years and wants to keep working towards making the Japanese side the best in Asia. Spanish World Cup winner Iniesta, who also celebrated his 37th birthday on Tuesday, signed a three-year contract with Kobe in 2018 after leaving Barcelona, where he …

J-League: Andres Iniesta to stay with Japan's Vissel Kobe for two more years
3 years, 7 months ago

J-League: Andres Iniesta to stay with Japan's Vissel Kobe for two more years

Firstpost  

The former Barcelona midfield maestro joined Kobe in 2018 in a deal worth a reported $30 million a year and recently recovered from a serious thigh injury. Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta celebrated his 37th birthday on Tuesday by signing a contract extension that will keep him at J-League side Vissel Kobe for two more years. Iniesta’s debut at Kobe …

Report: Messi’s contract worth up to 555 million euros
3 years, 11 months ago

Report: Messi’s contract worth up to 555 million euros

Associated Press  

MADRID — Lionel Messi’s most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to 555 million euros over four seasons, the El Mundo newspaper reported on Sunday. The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and variables that could reach nearly 138 million euros each season. “FC …

LaLiga: Barcelona to sue Spanish newspaper over claims Lionel Messi contract is worth $674 million
3 years, 11 months ago

LaLiga: Barcelona to sue Spanish newspaper over claims Lionel Messi contract is worth $674 million

Firstpost  

Barcelona responded by also insisting they were not responsible for the leak, although the club did not deny the details of the report. Madrid: Barcelona will take legal action against the Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it published details on Sunday of Lionel Messi’s current contract, which it says is worth up to 555 million euros over four years. El …

Barcelona to Sue Over Claims Messi's Contract Worth 555 Million Euros
3 years, 11 months ago

Barcelona to Sue Over Claims Messi's Contract Worth 555 Million Euros

News 18  

Barcelona will take legal action against the Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it published details on Sunday of Lionel Messi’s current contract, which it says is worth up to 555 million euros over four years. El Mundo say the deal signed by Messi in 2017 is the “largest in the history of sport” and called it the “colossal contract that …

Facing Fours Months Out, Ex-Barcelona Star Andres Iniesta Vows to Play on after Surgery
4 years ago

Facing Fours Months Out, Ex-Barcelona Star Andres Iniesta Vows to Play on after Surgery

News 18  

Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has promised his glittering career won’t be cut short by the thigh injury that has left him facing four months on the sidelines. The World Cup-winning Spanish midfielder, 36, said he planned to be back for his Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after undergoing surgery in Barcelona on a ruptured tendon. Iniesta clutched his …

Asian Champions League: Ex-Barcelona star and Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta vows to play on after surgery
4 years ago

Asian Champions League: Ex-Barcelona star and Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta vows to play on after surgery

Firstpost  

Iniesta joined Vissel Kobe in 2018 after making 442 appearances for Barcelona, where he was the midfield dynamo in some of the club’s greatest ever teams. The World Cup-winning Spanish midfielder, 36, said he planned to be back for his Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after undergoing surgery in Barcelona on a ruptured tendon. Iniesta clutched his thigh and …

Playing for Barcelona isn't Just Playing a Football Match: Andres Iniesta
4 years, 1 month ago

Playing for Barcelona isn't Just Playing a Football Match: Andres Iniesta

News 18  

Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta has opened up about the?massive pressure and constant tension? Iniesta played 442 matches for Barcelona before leaving as club captain, passing on the armband to Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old further said that it was because of the constant pressure that he couldn?t enjoy 100 per cent at Barcelona. The 85-minute documentary, which is streaming on …

Kobe Bryant-signed eighth-grade yearbook goes up for auction
4 years, 10 months ago

Kobe Bryant-signed eighth-grade yearbook goes up for auction

Daily Mail  

By Alex Raskin, Sports News Editor for DailyMail.com The tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in southern California on January 26 marked an abrupt ending to one of most indelible public lives in modern American history. A five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant will likely be inducted into the Hall of …

Iniesta says Neymar would be 'a great signing' for Barcelona
4 years, 11 months ago

Iniesta says Neymar would be 'a great signing' for Barcelona

The Hindu  

Andres Iniesta believes Barcelona would not regret bringing Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain. Brazil star Neymar has been repeatedly linked with a Camp Nou return over the past six months, with PSG digging in during the Ligue 1 close season to ensure he stayed in Paris. An astonishing move to the French giants in August 2017 saw Neymar bought out …

Andres Iniesta guides Vissel Kobe to Emperor Cup win
5 years ago

Andres Iniesta guides Vissel Kobe to Emperor Cup win

The Hindu  

Andres Iniesta captained Vissel Kobe to its first trophy with a 2-0 Emperor's Cup final win over Kashima Antlers as teammate David Villa retired. Vissel, formed in 1966 and moved to Kobe in 1995, has built a star-studded squad in a bid to end its wait for silverware, with former Barcelona stars Iniesta, Villa and Thomas Vermaelen featuring alongside Lukas …

Vissel Kobe's Spanish striker David Villa calls time on glittering career with Emperor's Cup title
5 years ago

Vissel Kobe's Spanish striker David Villa calls time on glittering career with Emperor's Cup title

Firstpost  

Wednesday’s Vissel Kobe win also saw a last appearance for former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker David Villa, who will retire at the age of 37 Tokyo: Vissel Kobe, led by World Cup winners Andres Iniesta and Lukas Podolski, beat Kashima Antlers 2-0 to win the Emperors Cup final on Wednesday, in the first football match to be played at …

Torres wants perfect finale with Iniesta and Villa
5 years, 6 months ago

Torres wants perfect finale with Iniesta and Villa

The Hindu  

Fernando Torres believes facing former Spain colleagues David Villa and Andres Iniesta will make for "the perfect finale" when he plays his last professional match in the J.League on August 23. Having announced his decision to retire from football and bring the curtain down on 18 trophy-laden years in the game, Torres explained his decision to make Sagan Tosu's clash …

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