Emirates FC president Youssef Al-Batran has revealed he knew an FC Barcelona legend was never going to join Inter Miami earlier this year.
The Herons have been linked with what feels like every Barcelona-linked superstar under the sun in recent months, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and now Neymar all being rumored with moves to Inter Miami.
With Tata Martino’s side boasting four former players from the La Liga giants, it makes sense why Inter Miami are constantly reported with an interest in Barcelona stars from yesteryear, with this trend likely to extend for a few more years.
Yet there’s one player who seemingly had little chance of joining Inter Miami this year.
Club president says Andres Iniesta was never going to join Inter Miami
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Emirates FC chairman Al-Batran has revealed that he was confident in his club’s attempts to sign Barcelona and Spanish legend Andres Iniesta, who was linked with Inter Miami after departing Vissel Kobe.
With the Herons even facing the Japanese side as part of their worldwide pre-season tour, a move to Inter Miami would have ticked a lot of boxes for both Iniesta and the Herons, who at the time were in need of a midfield partner for Sergio Busquets.
However, Iniesta instead made the surprising move to the United Arab Emirates, where the 39-year-old midfielder has managed to continue his career with an impressive start at Emirates FC.
Al-Batran said on Iniesta links to Inter Miami: “Iniesta is the biggest signing in the history of the United Arab Emirates League. Everyone was talking about Iniesta joining Inter Miami, but I knew he wasn’t going to do that.”
Inter Miami were right to not sign Barcelona legend
Iniesta reuniting with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba would have been quite the moment for soccer fans given everything the former Barcelona stars have all achieved in their careers.
Yet for Inter Miami, the Florida franchise made the right call in not signing Iniesta, who at 39-years-old might have been too old to handle MLS and the rigorous schedule playing in such a league can have on veteran players.
With Iniesta also thriving in the UAE, it appears that the midfielder himself is pleased with his decision, with this move likely to be the midfielder’s last in what has been a legendary career.