This was how former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi reacted to legendary Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta announcing his retirement from football.
Check Out: Top 10 World-Class Footballers Out Of Contract In 2025
The 40-year-old confirmed his decision in a social media post on Monday, bringing an end to an iconic 22-year career.
Iniesta last played for Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, whom he joined following a five-season spell at Japanese giants Vissel Kobe.
The bulk of his extraordinary career, however, came with boyhood side Barcelona. Iniesta represented the Blaugrana on 674 occasions between 2002 and 2018, winning 32 titles in the process.
Alongside other club academy graduates such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Xavi Hernandez, the midfielder became an integral part of arguably one of the greatest teams of all time.
Pep Guardiola's 2008-2012 team is often considered one of the sport's best sides in history, in which Iniesta was one of its standout performers.
Reacting to his official retirement from the beautiful game, Messi took to Instagram to post a touching tribute to his ex-Barcelona teammate.
"One of the teammates with the most magic and one I enjoyed playing alongside the most," he wrote, according to FootBoom.
"The ball will miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you all the best always, you are a phenomenon."
Check Out: Real Madrid 'To Make' Two Signings In January
In addition to the success he achieved in his club career, Iniesta lifted two UEFA European Championship trophies with Spain, in 2008 and 2012, and the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
