DUBAI: Former Spain and Barcelona midfield star Andres Iniesta has joined forces with local partner Abdulrahman Al-Meqbali in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council to launch the Iniesta Academy in the UAE.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Marriott Hotel Al-Jaddaf, Dubai, and attended by Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council, along with a number of other VIP personalities and sports stars.
Iniesta is looking to make a smooth transition from an active playing career in football into coaching with the launch of the academy bearing his name.
He has already committed himself to his next chapter in football — this time as head coach of Dubai-based UAE First Division team Gulf United FC. Having obtained his “A” Licence, the World Cup winner and Champions League-decorated midfielder will continue to progress towards his professional license.
Iniesta officially retired from professional football after a glittering 22-year career in 2024, concluding his playing days in the UAE Pro League with Emirates Club. He symbolically chose Oct. 8 to make the announcement, as a fitting tribute to his iconic number eight jersey.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Iniesta was lauded for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure and flair on the ball. Iniesta can today boast of an amazing 38 major trophies during his career, including 32 honours with FC Barcelona — nine La Liga crowns and four UEFA Champions League trophies — along with another three with Japanese side Vissel Kobe and the Spanish national team.
Following his retirement, Iniesta had expressed a strong desire to transition into coaching while also studying for his coaching badges so that he could give back to a sport he truly loved and adored.
The Iniesta Academy has two fundamental ideals as its foundational pillars. It aims to facilitate access to, and understanding of, Iniesta’s methodology on the field, and infuse players with the Spaniard’s values off the field.
“Our mission is not just to make football players, but also pay equal attention to having wonderful humans. It is very important to be a good player who has all the skills and motivation to become successful. But it is equally, if not more important, to see that each player develops with core human values of kindness, fairness and equality,” Iniesta said.
The Iniesta Academy is supervised by hand-picked technical directors who have the responsibility of ensuring this combination of a footballer with values and human beliefs.
“Decision-making on the field and adapting to a fast-changing game is one thing, but having a player who believes in humanity is something that is even more valuable for us at the academy,” Iniesta added.
After making his first-team debut aged 18 in 2002, Iniesta later became the most decorated Spanish footballer of all time. He assumed a legendary international status after scoring that extra-time World Cup-winning goal for Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“I feel this is the right time for me to give something back to the sport. I have always had this deep desire to coach and train the young ones, so that they not only have a role model before them, but also a blueprint on how they can achieve greatness in sport,” Iniesta said.
Abdulrahman Al-Meqbali, the founder and man behind the Iniesta Academy, was pleased to be a part of such a grand venture meant to tap and cultivate young sporting talent within the emirate.
“It is indeed such a huge honour for us to work and be so closely associated with this project that has a legend like Iniesta at the helm. We are thankful to the Dubai Sports Council for their constant backing and support that will go a long way in determining all the talent that we have within Dubai,” Al-Meqbali said.
He added: “Open trials will be held at Dubai Sports World this summer from Aug. 1 to 14, after which the academy’s locations will be selected across different areas of Dubai,” he added.
