Andres Iniesta: From shy schoolboy to Spain’s most decorated player – what next for Barcelona legend?

“I normally have everything under control,” Iniesta says when talking about retirement. “And now, I’m in another phase. But equally you still have your routines, whether that be to take your kids to school or do other things where you have to stick to certain timeframes.

“I am very calm with the next step [after playing] – that’s the truth.

“Many times, even though you knew about the quality and the talent of those players, the Messi, Busquets, Xavi, Thierry Henry and so many more alongside you, you were in awe at times of the technical moments. It’s so great to be able to have a job where you can really enjoy and savour such moments.”

I remind him of a story he told years ago about what happened the day after Messi won the Ballon d’Or in January 2011 when the vote was split between Xavi and himself on the back of Spain winning the World Cup.

The next training session Messi was so extraordinary that both Spanish players had to agree he deserved all the individual awards. “Actually, I take your word for it,” he laughs.

“I cannot remember that day. But it does not matter. I have lived very often days like that, where I felt I was in the presence of something very special.”

Many great coaches helped to improve Iniesta as a player, very often in different ways.

Guardiola with his vision, coaches like Luis Enrique and Luis Aragones for their conviction, gameplan and dealings with players, or Louis van Gaal – who gave him his debut – for his clarity and straightforward attitude.

Vicente del Bosque holds a special place in his heart for the calm way he managed the group and how he translated his gameplan and ideas to players.

But Iniesta concludes one thing they all had in common was their “spectacular football brains, because they are the very best”.