Andres Iniesta vows to continue playing after Vissel Kobe exit | OneFootball

Andres Iniesta has confirmed he is not retiring from football after his departure from J1 League side Vissel Kobe this week.

The legendary midfielder had recently embarked upon his sixth season at the Japanese club, but has largely struggled for minutes so far this campaign and has made just three short appearances in the club's 14 games thus far - cameos that have meant Iniesta has tallied up just 38 minutes of league football.

During a press conference in which his Vissel Kobe exit was confirmed, the 39-year-old was keen to stress that he wanted to continue playing professional football.

"I want to keep playing football," he said. "I feel like I am capable of still playing. But as this chapter closes, we'll see what's possible. I want to finish my career on the pitch playing, and this is what I'm hoping to do.

"It's a very emotional day after so many years. I tried to give my best on and off the pitch. I am very proud of that."

Later asked by EFE whether he could return to Barcelona in some capacity, Iniesta added: "As I have said many times, I would love to return to Barcelona at some point in my life, but I still think it is a long way off.

The Barcelona legend - who enjoyed 16 trophy-laden seasons at Camp Nou - could be set to play one last time for his former club on June 6.

One of Iniesta's final games with Vissel Kobe is due to be a friendly clash with Barca in Tokyo on June 6, and Marca have reported that there are talks about allowing the World Cup winner to play one half for Vissel and the other for Barcelona.