Iniesta opens the door for International retirement

CAIRO – 22 March 2018: Spanish midfielder the Andres Iniesta revealed on Thursday that 2018 World Cup in Russia could be his last participation with the Spanish national team.

“The World Cup will possibly be my last appearance for the national team, I don't want to be around just because of who I was,” Iniesta told the press on Thursday during the national team’s preparations for the friendly game against Germany.

Iniesta, 34, is one of the key players of the Spanish golden generation that won two consecutive UEFA EURO titles in 2008 and 2012 beside achieving 2010 World Cup title after defeating The Netherlands 1-0 in the final, thanks to a late goal from Andres Iniesta himself.

The 34-year-old midfielder added, “I hope that my farewell from Spain’s duty can be in the manner which we all hope, with a final. We hope my final match will be a World Cup final."

The Spaniard started playing for Spain in 2006 and he wore the national team jersey in 123 games.

Iniesta also has been linked with leaving his childhood club, Barcelona, at the end of the season to play in China.