Barcelona send gift to club icon Andrés Iniesta to commemorate 1,000th career game | OneFootball

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona were sure to honour Andrés Iniesta this weekend, on the back of the latest remarkable career milestone secured by the former Blaugrana midfielder.

Iniesta, for those not aware, is still plying his trade in the professional game.

After departing the club with whom he made his name – Barcelona – all the way back in 2018, the Spaniard made the move to Japan, where he spent five years on the books of Vissel Kobe.

Iniesta’s stint in the J1 League came to a close in the summer of 2023, but, despite having turned 39, the midfield icon came to the conclusion that his playing career, still, was not complete.

As a result, he went on to put pen to paper on a short-term deal in the UAE, with Emirates Club.

And, in his latest appearance on Friday, Iniesta secured for himself a special piece of history.

This came as the 131-time capped Spanish international took to the pitch in a professional setting for the 1,000th time in his legendary career.

And, as alluded to above, quick to recognise the remarkable achievement were none other than Barcelona.

In a classy gesture, the Blaugrana forwarded a special jersey, complete with Iniesta’s name and the number 1,000 on the back, to their one-time engine room star.

Conor Laird | GSFN