Andres Iniesta, a former legend of Barcelona and Spain, decided against retiring this summer after leaving Vissel Kobe in Japan in June.

After agreeing to mutually end his contract with Vissel, Iniesta departed the Japanese location he had called home for the previous five years in tears.

Although it was rumored that the 39-year-old would retire, he kept up his training during the summer in both Barcelona and his hometown of Albacete.

He will join Emirates Club FC in the United Arab Emirates, according to Sport. If nothing unexpected happens, football player Iniesta from Ras Al-Khaimah, close to Dubai, will play into his thirties.

Iniesta has acknowledged his impending retirement and his desire to eventually return to Barcelona in an open manner. But rather than being a coach, he thought it was more probable to be working as a sporting director or for La Masia.