‘I’ve spoken to Lionel Messi about his retirement plans – he needs to realise one thing’

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta recently retired from football, and he has shared what he told old team-mate Lionel Messi about hanging up his own boots

Lionel Messi has received advice from Andres Iniesta about his retirement

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has revealed the advice he has given to Lionel Messi about retiring from football.

Iniesta, 40, announced the end of his illustrious career earlier this month. The midfielder is synonymous with the Barcelona team that redefined the sport under Pep Guardiola, winning 24 major honours during his 16-year stint at the Nou Camp. Iniesta is beloved by all of Spain, having scored the decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final and helping La Roja win back-to-back Euros.

While it has been an emotional farewell, Iniesta’s decision to hang up his boots has not come out of the blue. He spent five years with Japanese club Vissel Kobe before spending a season with UAE Pro League club Emirates as his career wound down. Several of Iniesta’s long-time ex-Barcelona team-mates have also retired, and Messi will soon find himself in the same scenario.

Messi, 37, is currently setting records at Inter Miami and has led Argentina to World Cup glory and consecutive Copa America trophies, leaving him with little left to achieve in his career. However, Iniesta confessed that he spoke to Messi about the prospect of retiring and provided some sage advice.

In an interview with Relevo shortly after his retirement, Iniesta said: “I’ve spoken more with Xavi. And with Leo [Messi], too. I’m younger than Xavi. Leo and [Sergio Busquets] are younger than me.

“I hope [Messi and Busquets] will be around for a long time. It’s like this: when you see people retiring, you realise that it’s your turn soon. I tell them to make the most of the time they’re playing because it’s the best part. The rest is cool, but it’s different.”

Messi has reunited with a few Barcelona old boys in Miami – Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez – and the team have topped the Eastern Conference ahead of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Messi has scored 20 goals in 19 league games but was reminded that he won’t continue forever when he congratulated Iniesta on his career.

“One of the team-mates with the most magic and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most,” Messi wrote on social media. “The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you’re a phenomenon.”

The pair were team-mates for 14 years and led the Catalan club to nine La Liga titles and four Champions League triumphs during their time together. While Iniesta has been inundated with similar tributes since announcing his retirement, the 40-year-old has no regrets about his decision.

“No, because lately everything that surrounds being a footballer is what ends up wearing you down a bit,” Iniesta admitted. “For example, to be able to train and be in good condition before each training session you have to spend an hour on the stretcher undergoing treatment. And when the training session is over, the same. And when you get home, another hour with more care.

“It is necessary, but there are times when I get tired of that. In that respect, I am very, very, very calm.”