Iniesta, the creative genius

– Andres Iniesta (above) may be considering international retirement and winding down his club career in China but Spain’s creator-in-chief demonstrated on Friday why he might be leaving too soon.

Iniesta’s threaded pass in the sixth minute, disguised by a contradictory glance and weighted so precisely that Rodrigo Moreno was even spared a controlling touch, was not one of a player struggling to keep up.

This was Germany and the defence of the world champions, whom Spain could face again in the semifinals at the World Cup, where Iniesta’s craft, eye and experience could prove similarly precious.

By the summer, Iniesta will be 34, perhaps about to trade La Liga for the Chinese Super League, where, he has said, he has an offer. He will decide by the end of April whether to call time on a glittering 16-year career at Barcelona.

“I don’t want to be around in the future just because of who I was,” Iniesta told Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Thursday.

Barca would miss him, even with Philippe Coutinho – his anointed successor – in place, but perhaps the greater loss would be felt by Spain, for whom no player has been more instrumental over the last decade. Iniesta played in all their victorious finals – 2008, 2010 and 2012 – scoring the winner in one and claiming man-ofthe-match in two.

All distinguished careers come to an end but few among the soldout crowd in the Espirit Arena in Duesseldorf could argue that Iniesta does not have more to give.

His key contribution did not prove decisive, cancelled out by a superb 25-yard drive from Germany’s Thomas Mueller in a 1-1 draw that pointed to two sides ready to go deep in Russia.

Spain are unbeaten in 17 matches under coach Julen Lopetegui. The former Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper hardly revolutionised this talented squad but made some tweaks and gradually restored belief following the disappointments of 2014 and 2016.

“Spain senses its rebirth”, crowed Madrid daily AS on Saturday, signing off with the bullish conclusion that “we have sent a message we are equal to the champions”. – AFP

I don’t want to be around in the future just because of who I was. Andres Iniesta Barcelona and Spain legend