The 40-year-old announced in October that he was hanging up his boots after a career that saw him win two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

Iniesta formed a devastating midfield with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, becoming the standard-bearers of the "tiki-taka" style of football that catapulted both club and country to new heights.

"After what has happened this week I would like to convey my sadness as a person, as a father of three daughters, as a husband and as a footballer" at what has happened around "our football and around the Spanish women's national team", Iniesta wrote on his social networks.

Iniesta announced in May that he was leaving Vissel Kobe in Japan earlier than expected after spending large parts of the J-League season on the bench

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.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta said Thursday he will make an early exit from Japanese side Vissel Kobe but intends to keep playing aged 39.

Watching this year's World Cup on TV will be a different experience, Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta told AFP on Thursday, but he believes his compatriots can lift the trophy without him.

Spain left Andres Iniesta out of their starting line-up for their World Cup second round tie against hosts Russia today at 8 pm in Bangladesh time.

World Media pays tribute to departing Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta after he put in a great performance in the Copa Del Rey final against Sevilla.

Barcelona's midfield maestro Andres Iniesta suggests that the match against AS Roma in the Champions League could have been his last match in the competition.

Andres Iniesta may be considering international retirement and winding down his club career in China but Spain's creator-in-chief demonstrates why he might be leaving too soon.

Manchester City midfielder David Silva plays a starring role as an irresistible Spain show their class to thrash Costa Rica 5-0 in an international friendly.

The biggest game of the La Liga season so far is shrouded in political tension as Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid in their first trip to the Spanish capital since a Catalan independence referendum marred by violence.

Barcelona tied down captain Andres Iniesta for the rest of his career as the club announce the 33-year-old midfielder has agreed a "lifetime contract".

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta hints he may not renew his contract with Barcelona.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim accuses his team of throwing in the towel in their chastening 3-0 loss to holders Spain in their Euro 2016 match

The Netherlands, who were within a penalty shootout victory of reaching the 2014 World Cup final, now stand on the brink of missing the European Championships for the first time since 1984.