Andres Iniesta confirms he could leave Barcelona this year

Posted Friday, March 16, 2018 by squawka.com

Andres Iniesta has revealed he could leave Barcelona at the end of the season amid links with a move to China.

The Spain legend has made 662 appearances for Barcelona since 2002, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.

Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian recently denied reports they are set to sign Iniesta this summer.

But the midfielder has provoked further speculation about his future by admitting a transfer is possible.

That’s despite the fact Iniesta signed a “lifetime contract” with Barcelona earlier this season.

"The club will know [my future] before you,” Iniesta told reporters after Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 win over Chelsea, via Football Espana.

"It’s a decision I have to make, whether I stay or leave, and I have to make it before April 30th.

"Those are the two options. I’ll make my decision in the next few weeks and my stance hasn’t changed since I renewed my contract.”

Is Iniesta’s influence waning?

Andres Iniesta confirms he could leave Barcelona this year

At 33 years of age, Iniesta understandably isn’t quite as effective as he once was.

The Spaniard has scored only three goals in all competitions across the last three seasons combined – he scored triple that amount in the 2010-11 campaign alone.

That said, Iniesta’s game has never been about goals, and he is still an influential figure at Camp Nou as he proved against Chelsea on Wednesday.

He finished the match with a 97% pass completion rate, meaning he was accurate with 34 of his 35 passes, better than any other player who started the Round of 16 clash.