Game time had not yet been reached. Then, the number eight was raised on the electronic board. His number. The one who honored in Barcelona to the point of making him a cult object. The one he dignified in Japan, where he changed football from the field leading his club, Vissel Kobe, at unimaginable heights, winning titles that he had never won and recognition that he never had before.
The ‘eight’ got up and he, Andrés Iniesta Luján, was heading towards the bench excited, amazed to receive so much love on the other side of the world. He left the pitch, it was his last game with the Vissel jacket after five years of continuous rise to become one of the most popular clubs in Japan, and when he left the field (minute 57, Daiju Sasaki entered) he was overwhelmed by such an impressive tribute .
8⃣????????????❤️????#whistlingkobe #Vissel Kobe#iniestaKO8Eforever pic.twitter.com/5Kiajcu4O5
— Vissel Kobe (@visselkobe) July 1, 2023
He was excited when he made the traditional bow, leaning his body forward as he did in Tokyo coinciding with the tribute paid to him by Barça. Thrilled were thousands and thousands of people who filled the stands of Kobe’s Noevir Stadium.
The J League match, which ended in a draw (1-1), continued to be played. But the eyes were directed towards Iniesta, who sat next to another ex-azulgrana, Sergio Samper
Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) Last Kobe Sanka ❤????#iniestaKO8Eforever❤????#whistlingkobe #Vissel Kobe pic.twitter.com/Qp6TiMXarS
— Vissel Kobe (@visselkobe) July 1, 2023
There, silent, and with emotion shaking him within and without, The former captain of the Vissel Kobe was reviewing in his memory everything that had happened since that summer of 2018 in which he undertook the Japanese adventure. He never thought to be that long. It’s been five years. Five long years where he has seen his family grow with Anna, his wife. Now they already have five children.
The journey to the elite
Five years in which Vissel has gone from fighting to avoid relegation to winning titles and living perched in the noble zone of the table. Right now, he occupies third place in the tournament, with 37 points accumulated in the first 18 days, one point below Nagoya, which has 38 but with one more game. And two points behind the leader, Yokohama Marinos (39), who has also played 18 games.
Iniesta leaves Japan of his own free will because he wants to feel important. Where? She still does not know it although she handles several offers
Iniesta, and by his own decision, leaves Japan, a country that he has made his own, devoted from the first minute of his arrival to the talent of Fuentealbilla. He is leaving because, at 39, he wants to continue playing.
You want to feel important from the start. Where will she go? Even he does not know. He handles several offers, so he has to decide what his last destination is, determined as he is to end up turning 40 with his boots on.
❤❤❤#iniestaKO8Eforever#whistlingkobe #Vissel Kobe pic.twitter.com/moIFCPQzgg
— Vissel Kobe (@visselkobe) July 1, 2023
He leaves Japan after completing an unforgettable five years, with a stadium (the Noevir) standing, illuminated in darkness with all the focus on him. Full of banners for everything he has received: ‘Thank you, Andrés’, could be read on one of them. ‘My captain 8 Andrés’ also read another.
8⃣????????????#whistlingkobe #Vissel Kobe#iniestaKO8Eforever pic.twitter.com/5FyuKBVZwT
— Vissel Kobe (@visselkobe) July 1, 2023
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All after a spectacular mosaic, with the eight on his back, presided over his entrance to the field. At the end of the game, and surrounded by his teammates (they all had the eight, on their backs, of course), the midfielder listened to a song, almost unable to look up, amazed by everything received.
Iniesta leaves Kobe but it will never leave the memory of the Japanese fans.
2023-07-01 13:32:16
#Iniesta #goodbye #Japan #night #full #emotions
