Andres Iniesta's glowing Celtic tribute as Spanish footballing icon announces plan to retire

Andres Iniesta has revealed he will announce his retirement from professional football next week.

The legendary former Spain and Barcelona star will officially hang up his boots on Tuesday, October 8 in reference to the number he wore on the back of his shirt throughout his trophy-laden career. The 40-year-old - who left UAE club Emirates last summer after five years in Japan with Vissel Kobe - won a staggering 35 major honours between 2005 and 2023, including four Champions Leagues, one World Cup, two European Championships and nine La Liga titles.

The playmaker - who bagged the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa - played alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets at Barcelona in what is widely regarded as the greatest midfield trio of all time, all of whom complemented Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in attack at the Camp Nou.

Iniesta came up against Celtic seven times during his illustrious 16-year spell at Barcelona and was on the winning side seven times, including a 7-0 rout of the Bhoys in 2016. But the acclaimed midfielder was also part of the Barca side that suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Parkhead in the group stage of the 2012/13 season. The Hoops had raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of famous goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt, and although Messi pulled one back in injury time, Neil Lennon's men held on for the victory.

In what turned out to be his final Parkhead outing in the following season, Iniesta was given a standing ovation by the Celtic faithful as he departed the field to be substituted in a game where a goal from Cesc Fabregas was enough to separate the two sides. The classy Spanish legend later admitted just how much he enjoyed playing at Celtic Park when asked about some