Spanish veteran Andres Iniesta says he is considering leaving Barcelona after 16 trophy-filled seasons with the Catalan club as age catches on one of the most decorated midfielders, who has been with the club right from the start of his career.
Iniesta said on Wednesday that "it's a decision I will communicate to the club first and then everyone will find out. Before April 30 I will take a decision. There are two options, stay or leave."
Iniesta spoke after playing the first hour of Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Chelsea that sent the team through to the Champions League quarterfinals on a 4-1 aggregate score.
With age catching up, the 33-year old said that he will reach a decision by the end of April. The Spanish midfielder signed a lifetime contract with the Blaugrana but speculations highly surround his place in the squad after the inclusion of Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho this season.
With head coach Ernesto Valverde switching to a 4-4-2 formation in his matches, Iniesta's place in the starting XI has been quite uncertain. The 33-year old returned from a hamstring injury to help the Catalonian giants thrash Chelsea 3-0, with Lionel Messi's brace inspiring a 4-1 aggregate triumph in the round of 16.
As media reports suggest, Tianjin Quanjian were linked with a move for the Spanish veteran, although the Chinese club not making any statement regarding their interest in the midfielder.
The 33-year-old Iniesta has won 30 titles, including four Champions Leagues, since debuting for Barcelona in 2002.
(With AP Inputs)
