Frustrated not to play ... Iniesta: Coruna pushed football to second place

Andres Iniesta, one of the most prominent former Barcelona players currently residing in Japan, is having trouble following events in his country, which is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic virus.

Iniesta - who moved to Vesel Kobe in 2018 after an accomplished career with Barcelona - told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday that although football's importance came second during this health crisis, he was frustrated by not playing.

The start of the Japanese League has been postponed due to the epidemic, while Iniesta remains in Kobe with his wife and four children.

Iniesta, 35, one of the most skilled midfielders of the current generation, said it was difficult for him to be away from his extended family and friends in Spain during this stage.

He added through an interpreter, "This is a very difficult situation because you are not with them, and you are not with your loved ones ... You cannot see what is happening in daily life, so it is difficult, but we speak on a daily basis and follow up with them, and I just hope that conditions improve."

The new Corona virus has infected more than 200,000 people in Spain, killing more than 20,000. Japan announced that more than 11,000 people were injured, compared to 250 deaths.

Staying at home and not practicing is a challenge for Iniesta, but he looks at it positively because he is spending more time with the family.

"At the moment, I think football comes second ... The important thing now is the lives of people, the actions of people, and the attempt to get society out of this situation," said the player with the goal of Spain winning the 2010 World Cup final.

"After I said that, as a professional soccer player, I find it difficult for me not to be able to play football, and not be able to spend time with my fans and teammates ... I try to focus on positive matters ... staying at home and spending the longest time with my family And my children, which was not always easy. "

After spending 16 years in Barcelona, ​​during which he won the League title 9 times and the UEFA Champions League 4 times, Iniesta decided to take a new stage in the challenge of playing in the Japanese League.

Despite winning almost everything possible in the round witch, Iniesta did not go to Japan just to quietly retire.

Iniesta led his club, Vissel Kobe, to his first title when he crowned the Emperor's Cup last January, and remains hungry for more success.