CNN —In his prime, Andrés Iniesta was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history. After leaving Spain, Iniesta signed for Japanese club Vissel Kobe and enjoyed reasonable success in following five years. Mohamed Farag/Getty ImagesAmid interest from around the world, including Major League Soccer (MLS), Iniesta eventually signed a one-year deal with UAE side Emirates Club. There were reports earlier this year that Iniesta may team up with Lionel Messi in the MLS, although it didn't materialize. “Football is a global sport, it’s a world sport where everybody would like to have different football players,” he said.

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Persons: CNN —, Iniesta, – La Roja, Mohamed Farag, ” Iniesta, CNN’s Becky Anderson, “, I’m, he’s, Lionel Messi, Mike Hewitt, – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Germain, Messi, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema Organizations: CNN, Spain, Vissel Kobe, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, UAE, Emirates, Ajman Club, “, Emirates Club, Inter Miami, MLS, Messi, Argentine, Paris Saint, Europe’s Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Japan, UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, North America, Barça, Catalonia, Catalan, ., Saudi Arabian, Europe