Andres Iniesta retired last month after a trophy-laden 22-year career in which he won nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and the World Cup, with the Spaniard now moving into ownership
Andres Iniesta retired last month after a trophy-laden 22-year career in which he won nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and the World Cup, with the Spaniard now moving into ownership Andres Iniesta retired last month after a trophy-laden 22-year career in which he won nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and the World Cup, with the Spaniard now moving into ownership
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has bought a Danish football club just over a month after ending his playing career.
Iniesta announced his retirement on 8 October, bringing his storied time as a midfielder to a close. He spent the majority of his 22-year career at Barca after graduating from the club’s La Masia academy.
After making his senior debut in 2002, Iniesta went on to win 29 honours, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues crowns. He joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe in 2018 before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2023 to play for Emirates.
On the international stage, Iniesta won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain. But rather than a coaching career, the 40-year-old is now venturing into ownership.
According to TV2, Iniesta has bought the majority of the shares of FC Helsingør through his company Never Say Never, in collaboration with the Swiss company Stoneweg. While Iniesta would have been thought to continue to play a part at the top level of the game, Helsingør are in the Danish third division.
They were relegated from the second tier last season, having finished rock-bottom of the 12-team league. They currently sit seventh in the third tier, 13 points adrift of top spot.
Helsingør director Bo Bay Hougaard previously floated Iniesta as a possible investor in September. Hougaard will continue to act as managing director despite the buyout, which is expected to be approved before Helsingør’s clash with Ishøj IF on Friday.
(
Image:
AFP/Getty)
The club are yet to comment on the sale or Iniesta’s arrival. But the Spaniard is keen to get started with his new investment and is ready to put all of his years of experience to good use.
“We have started working with FC Helsingør because it is an incredibly exciting club with really good facilities, a lot of good people in and around the club and a potential in the city to become an important part of Danish football,” he told TV2. “Football is what we like. What they express is very positive, and it is with confidence that I can become part of the club and try to contribute with all our experience from many different environments and try to develop and improve the club.”
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in history, Iniesta announced his retirement at an event in Catalonia. But he insisted he would remain in football even after his playing days.
“Being on the pitch is over,” he said. “I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life. Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness.
“They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice, of never giving up, essential values in my life.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Mirror – Sport
