Transfer Talk: Iniesta must choose final destination carefully

Andres Iniesta may have achieved everything that he could in the game but he still remains committed to playing football. 

The 39-year-old has just left Vissel Kobe after signing for the Japanese club in 2018. 

Yet rather than retiring, it seems that the World Cup winner is looking to create another chapter in his storied career. 

With Iniesta now a free agent, we take a look at his time in Japan and where he might end up playing next. 

Japanese frustration

Iniesta moved to J1 League after his many successful years at Barcelona came to an end. 

It was part of a plan for Kobe, who are owned by the Rakuten Group, to become Asia's biggest club. 

That dream was never realised during Iniesta's six seasons, though there were some successes. 

The midfielder's presence boosted attendances wherever he played and he was part of the Emperor's Cup victory in 2020. 

Yet a title challenge failed to materialise until the current season, where Iniesta's playing time has been severely marginalised. 

The Barca legend only made six appearances before departing midway through a campaign in which Kobe are second in J1 League, three points behind leaders Yokohama F Marinos.

Retirement plans

In May, Iniesta spoke about the frustrations he has faced this season at Kobe and his plans for the future. 

He said: "I want to finish my time here properly and then see what options are available to me. 

"I want to keep playing and then retire while I'm still active. That's difficult for me to do here, so I want to find a place where I can eventually retire. 

"I always thought I would retire here, but things haven't gone as I wanted them to. 

"For the past few months I've trained hard with the intention of contributing to the team, but I started to feel that the coach had different priorities." 

Iniesta seems determined to carry on playing, but having struggled to get game time in Japan this season, he may have to choose his next destination carefully. 

Future options

Some romantics have suggested that Iniesta could return to Barcelona, where his old midfield partner Xavi is now manager. 

That idea seems fanciful, though there is a certain Camp Nou reunion going on which might be a more realistic option. 

Sergio Busquets has signed for Inter Miami, while Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba are on the verge of joining him. 

It has been rumoured that the MLS club have made an offer to Iniesta and he has also reportedly received proposals from teams in Saudi Arabia. 

Qatar, where Xavi ended his playing days and began his managerial career, is another option. It may all come down to how important starting games regularly is for Iniesta.

The Barcelona reunion in Miami is clearly the most glamorous choice, but there could be other teams where playing time is more of a guarantee. 

Like all footballers, Iniesta will have one eye on boosting his retirement fund, but no one carries on playing until this age unless it brings them real joy. Happiness could be the deciding factor.