Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview

May 09, 2025

Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Iniesta during Vissel Kobe. Photo Source=Iniesta Instagram



Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (C)and real Madrid's Luis Figo fight for the ball during the exhibition friendly football match between Spain's Barcelona Legends and Spain's Real Madrid Legends at the Nemesio Diez Stadium in Toluca de Lerdo, State of Mexico, Mexico on April 13, 2025. (Photo by Mario Vazquez / AFP)
'I can go back to being the leader of Japan.'

World soccer legend Andres Iniesta (41) has emerged as an extraordinary concern in Japanese soccer as he hinted at the possibility of returning to Japan as a leader.

According to Japanese media on the 9th, Iniesta held an online press conference for the 'Clasico Legend THE REMATCH 5vs5' event to be held in Kobe, Japan on the 25th and 26th.




Iniesta said in a press conference that "working as a leader in Japan in the future" is also in the options and is considering it as a priority."," he said, revealing the possibility of returning.

After spending his golden years with FC Barcelona from July 2002 to 2008, Iniesta moved to Vissel Kobe in Japan and played until 2023. He also kicked the captain's armband in Kobe and gained explosive popularity from Japanese soccer fans, contributing to Kobe's first title, the Emperor's Cup.

Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Iniesta having a great time with his family. Photo Source=Iniesta Instagram
Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Iniesta participated with legends at the 'El Clasico in Tokyo" event in December 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo Source=Iniesta Instagram
After a grand farewell ceremony in Kobe in the summer of 2023, he spent his final period as an Emirates club (United Arab Emirates) and retired in October last year, spending time with his family to prepare for his transformation into a leader.

He will be back on the ground in Japan for the 'Clasico Legend THE REMATCH 5vs5' event. Iniesta, who is visiting Kobe for the first time in two years, said "I feel like I've been out. Kobe expressed a sense of friendliness, saying, "My second hometown..."

Along with Iniesta, superstars from memories such as Romario (former Brazil representative), Javier Saviola (former Argentina representative), Pepe (former Portugal representative, former FC Barcelona), and Emerson (former Brazil representative, former Real Madrid) will attend the event.

Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Iniesta during Vissel Kobe. Photo Source=Iniesta Instagram
Legendary Iniesta Returns As Japanese Director? Expectations in the Japanese soccer community are high...If you get a supervisor's license, you'll reveal Japan's first thought interview
Iniesta during Vissel Kobe. Photo Source=Iniesta Instagram
'Clasico Legend THE REMATCH 5vs5' is an event in which luxury members from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, a prestigious Spanish Primera Liga, visit Japan and hold a Japanese version of 'El Clasico'. In December last year, an event called 'El Clasico in Tokyo' was first planned to commemorate Iniesta's relationship with Kobe, which also served as a retirement game in Japan. As a result, Real Madrid asked to play again, and it was held as an expanded event this year.

Iniesta said "If you get a leadership qualification, honestly, there is nothing yet decided where to teach. But as you know, there is a bond between me and Japan. I am considering taking over the managerial position in Japan as a priority among the options," he stressed.

As a result, Japanese media and soccer fans are looking forward to Iniesta's return to Japan as a leader.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.