Iniesta: I didn't understand Hierro's reasons for benching me at the World Cup

Posted Saturday, November 24, 2018 by Marca.com

Fernando Hierro and Andres Iniesta

The curtain came down on Andres Iniesta's Spain career in disappointing fashion with a limp World Cup exit to hosts Russia in the summer and he admitted that he was not happy with how it went.

Iniesta found himself surprisingly dropped for that last 16 clash by Fernando Hierro and, although he came off the bench, it wasn't enough to prevent his side exiting the tournament on penalties.

"I don't have a good memory of the World Cup in Russia," he admitted as he reflected upon his career.

"I didn't understand the decision to leave me on the bench or Hierro's reasons for doing so.

"I was upset, I didn't care what he said."

The Vissel Kobe midfielder also opened up on his battle with depression during his time at Barcelona and reflected upon the intense rivalry that occurred with Real Madrid during Jose Mourinho's time in charge at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

"I came back after winning the treble with Barcelona and all that I wanted to do was go home at night, take a pill and sleep," Iniesta continued.

"When Mourinho was coach, that was the point when the rivalry was at its peak.

"Anyone who doesn't think that his presence was a key component in that is going beyond radicalism."