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Andres Iniesta has confirmed his international retirement by saying \u201cnow is the time to step aside\u201d after Spain were knocked out of the World Cup.<\/p>\nAndres Iniesta has confirmed his international retirement by saying \u201cnow is the time to step aside\u201d after Spain were knocked out of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old ended his trophy-laden spell at Barcelona at the end of the season and will now represent Vissel Kobe in the J-League.<\/p>\n
He still started all three group games in the World Cup but was only a substitute in the last-16 clash against Russia and was unable to help Spain through as they crashed out on penalties.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time to step aside,\u201d the scorer of the 2010 World Cup final winner said in an open letter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an easy decision, on the contrary, I\u2019ve been thinking about it a lot during the past months.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the shootout defeat in Moscow, in which Iniesta came off the bench for his 131st cap to score Spain\u2019s first penalty, the Spanish Football Federation said the midfielder would retire.<\/p>\n
His 12-year international career included two European Championships alongside the 2010 World Cup success.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the dream of my life to defend the colors of my country,\u201d Iniesta wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was something very special, not just a dream but a great responsibility. During all these years I\u2019ve tried to make myself conscious of what it means and give always my best, to make yourselves (sic) proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s World Cup campaign began and ended on a sour note, Julen Lopetegui replaced as head coach on the eve of the finals by Fernando Hierro.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that I\u2019ve been lucky to live in one of the best stages of our national team with a great player generation that has been exceptional in every single way,\u201d Iniesta added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve achieved great success, things that we all dreamed of since we were kids, but also great deceptions and difficult moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo all, thank you for making me a better team-mate and football player. It\u2019s been a pleasure to share with you all these years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the disappointment suffered in Russia, Iniesta believes he is passing the baton on to a group of talented young players as he continues the twilight of his career in Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe illusion and will to continue are total but I\u2019ve always said that I will do what\u2019s best for the national team,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe future is thrilling, with a great group of unbelievable players that from now on will have me as an unconditional supporter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iniesta also thanked the coaches and the Spanish Football Federation for their support throughout his international career and signed off by praising his family.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAt last, I would like to thank especially my family: thank you for your unconditional support and for always being by my side. We pursue a dream and we achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n