By 
Barcelona has confirmed that club
captain and Camp Nou living legend Andres Iniesta has agreed a new ‘lifetime
contract,’ committing himself to the club for the remainder of his career.
captain and Camp Nou living legend Andres Iniesta has agreed a new ‘lifetime
contract,’ committing himself to the club for the remainder of his career.
Iniesta’s existing contract had been due to expire at the end of the
current season, leading to speculation that he could wind down his career
elsewhere.
current season, leading to speculation that he could wind down his career
elsewhere.
The likes of Juventus and Inter Milan were rumored as possible
destinations, but the 33-year-old has come to an agreement with Barça instead.
destinations, but the 33-year-old has come to an agreement with Barça instead.
Iniesta, a player noted for his shyness when he first arrived at Barça’s
famed La Masia academy in 1996,
was handed a first-team debut by Louis van Gaal during the 2002/03 campaign.
famed La Masia academy in 1996,
was handed a first-team debut by Louis van Gaal during the 2002/03 campaign.
He was playing regularly by the time
of the 2004/05 season and went on to win the first of eight La Liga titles to
date that year. The following season, Iniesta was a Champions League winner for
the first time – he has now has four in his enormous medal collection.
of the 2004/05 season and went on to win the first of eight La Liga titles to
date that year. The following season, Iniesta was a Champions League winner for
the first time – he has now has four in his enormous medal collection.
On the international stage, Iniesta made his
debut for Spain in 2006 and was later a member of the all-conquering squad that
won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 either side of the 2010 World Cup.
debut for Spain in 2006 and was later a member of the all-conquering squad that
won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 either side of the 2010 World Cup.
“The club has grown through this agreement because after 118 years of
history it’s the first time we have ever offered a footballer a lifelong
contract. This is a reward for Andrés’ exceptional career,” Barcelona president
Josep Bartomeu said in a statement. “The younger players in the squad
always say that they see him as their role model – and that’s not just because
of the way he plays but also because of the behavior that has put him where he
is today.”
history it’s the first time we have ever offered a footballer a lifelong
contract. This is a reward for Andrés’ exceptional career,” Barcelona president
Josep Bartomeu said in a statement. “The younger players in the squad
always say that they see him as their role model – and that’s not just because
of the way he plays but also because of the behavior that has put him where he
is today.”
Added Iniesta: “This is a very special day for me, simply because it means I’m
staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for
this club. It’s where I have grown and developed. It makes me very happy to
know that the club has given me this opportunity. I have always been convinced
of my love for Barça and I know that I could never be anywhere better then
here.
staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for
this club. It’s where I have grown and developed. It makes me very happy to
know that the club has given me this opportunity. I have always been convinced
of my love for Barça and I know that I could never be anywhere better then
here.
“I thank the club for its faith in allowing me this contract. I look
forward to staying here and helping the team to achieve our targets and then at
the end of the season I’ll think about what would be best for everyone. You
can’t put a price on this. Not just being here but also to feel that I will
always be able to continue doing important things for this team, I am so
pleased with the way things have worked out, and right now I can see myself
continuing to play football.”
forward to staying here and helping the team to achieve our targets and then at
the end of the season I’ll think about what would be best for everyone. You
can’t put a price on this. Not just being here but also to feel that I will
always be able to continue doing important things for this team, I am so
pleased with the way things have worked out, and right now I can see myself
continuing to play football.”
