Pep Guardiola pays tribute to Andres Iniesta after midfielder announces Barcelona exit

The 33-year-old told a press conference on Friday afternoon that he would be leaving the Catalan giants after a 16-year professional career with the club

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Andres Iniesta after the Spanish midfielder announced his departure from Barcelona.

The 33-year-old told a press conference on Friday afternoon that he would be leaving the Catalan giants after a 16-year professional career with the club. Guardiola, who managed Iniesta in his time at the Camp Nou, saved special praise for his former player.

“I want to thank him,” Guardiola said. “People think managers help the players but he helped me understand the game better, just watching how he plays the game. Hopefully he comes back to Barcelona to teach young players or professional players what he showed on the pitch.”

Whilst with Barcelona, Guardiola and Iniesta won 14 major trophies together including three league titles, two Copas del Rey and two Champions League. Guardiola told how much he enjoyed managing Iniesta whilst at Barcelona.

He said: “I could say a lot of things but basically the pleasure of seeing him train, how everything was easy, I think the most impressive thing about him how naturally he played. That is very difficult to find in a football player.”

Upon the announcement, other tributes for the Spanish midfielder starting pouring in. Former Barcelona forward and current pundit Gary Lineker also gave his thoughts on Twitter.

Andres Iniesta will depart this summer (Getty Images)

The 57-year-old said: “Andrés Iniesta is to leave @FCBarcelona. One of the great midfielders of this or any other generation. A truly joyous footballer who has won absolutely everything with his club and country. Qué tengas muchisima suerte en todo lo qué haces @andresiniesta8.”

Iniesta’s next destination has not yet been announced, and the midfielder said he would reveal his plans at the end of the season. He has vowed never to play against Barcelona, and is expected to join Chinese Super League side Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.