From Barcelona to Emirates via World Cup and Japan: Andres Iniesta's career in pictures

Spanish great will continue his illustrious career with Emirates Club in the Adnoc Pro League

Andres Iniesta makes his Barcelona debut on October 29, 2002 in a 1-0 victory over Club Brugges in the Uefa Champions League. Getty

Andres Iniesta establishes himself as a first-team regular during the 2004/05 season and helps Barcelona win La Liga. Getty

Andres Iniesta stars for Barcelona during their 2005/06 Champions League campaign as Barca clinch the second European Cup in their history. AFP

Andres Iniesta becomes a European champion with Spain after defeating Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final in Vienna, Austria. AFP

Andres Iniesta wins the Champions League for a second time as Barcelona complete the treble at the end of the 2008/09 season. AFP

Andres Iniesta celebrates with the trophy after winning the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in December 2009. By winning the tournament, Barca made history by winning all six available trophies in the calendar year. AFP

The crowning moment in a glittering career, Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal in extra-time as Spain beat the Netherlands in the final to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. AFP

Andres Iniesta became a two-time European champion when Spain retained their title at Euro 2012, thumping Italy 4-0 in the final in Kyiv, Ukraine. AFP

The 2015/16 season was another successful one for Andres Iniesta and Barcelona as the club became the first Spanish side to win the treble more than once. AFP

Despite signing a lifetime contract with Barcelona, Andres Iniesta opted to leave his boyhood club in the summer of 2018 to sign for Japanese side Vissel Kobe. AFP

Andres Iniesta clinched his first, and only, piece of silverware with Vissel Kobe by leading the club to the Emperor's Cup in January 2020. Reuters

After five years in Japan, Andres Iniesta announced in May 2023 that he would be leaving Vissel Kobe. AFP

Andrés Iniesta signs for Emirates Club in Ras Al Khaimah. Intercontinental Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Andres Iniesta will soon begin a new chapter of his remarkable career when the veteran Spanish midfielder plays his first match for Adnoc Pro League side Emirates Club.

After arriving in the UAE on Monday night, Iniesta put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Ras Al Khaimah club with the option of a further year extension. He will be officially presented as an Emirates player at a press conference on Wednesday evening.

The signing is something of a coup for a club only just promoted to the UAE top-flight, with Iniesta reportedly opting for Emirates over a reunion with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami.

Iniesta's arrival also provides some major star power to the UAE football scene. The Spaniard may be 39 years old but is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation having won virtually every major trophy at club and international level.

As Iniesta prepares to embark on this new journey, we have put together the photo gallery above which contains many of his career highlights, including his debut for Barcelona, the many trophies he won with his boyhood club, and that famous night with Spain in Johannesburg.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.