Xavi and Andres Iniesta have won countless trophies together but there is one honour the latter can hold over his counterpart forever.

An emotional Iniesta announced his retirement on Tuesday at an event in Barcelona.

Iniesta announced his retirement at an event in BarcelonaAFP

“Being on the pitch is over,” Iniesta said.

“I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life.

“Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride.

“They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice, of never giving up, essential values in my life.”

Iniesta’s retirement came over five years after his long-time Barcelona midfield partner Xavi called time on his career.

Together, the pair won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain during the nation’s period dominance on the international stage.

They also played starring roles for Barcelona, helping the Catalan club win LaLiga seven times, three Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League titles.

Such was Iniesta’s standing in the game, Barcelona’s bitter rivals, Real Madrid, even issued an official statement congratulating the 40-year-old on his career.

“Following Andres Iniesta’s announcement that he is retiring from professional football, Real Madrid C. F., its president and its board of directors would like to express their recognition, admiration and affection for one of the biggest legends of Spanish and world football,” the statement read.

“Andres Iniesta has enriched the sport through his football and his values, in addition to the numerous trophies he has won during his career. His iconic goal in the 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa will forever remain in the memory of every Spanish fan.

“Real Madrid would like to wish him and his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.”

When Xavi retired, Madrid did not release any statement.

Over the course of Iniesta’s career, he played Madrid 38 times across LaLiga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa.

Iniesta was the hero for Barcelona on countless occasions.AFP

The Barcelona icon was on the winning side 16 times along with ten draws and 12 losses.

Iniesta’s last appearance against Madrid was at the Camp Nou in the 2017/18 season as the Spanish heavyweights played out an enthralling 2-2 draw.

The midfielder departed Barcelona in July 2018 to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he made 134 appearances.

Iniesta helped the club win the J1 League in 2023 as well as the Emperor’s Cup in 2019.

He had one final career stop at Emirates Club in the UAE before his retirement.