Just as Saudi Arabia is saying hello to big names from around the world, the kingdom’s rival for the title of having the best league in Asia is saying goodbye to its one megastar. “I came here in 2018 to fulfil the promise of making this club big, I feel I’ve managed to achieve that,” said Andrés Iniesta as he bade farewell to Vissel Kobe after his final appearance for the Japanese club in front of 27,000 fans at Noevir Stadium, Kobe’s biggest attendance since 2004. “And I’ve given my maximum both on and off the pitch.”
Few would disagree with the second statement, even if there were diminishing returns, unsurprising given Iniesta is now 39. The first statement is debatable, however. The goal of the Kansai club, flush with Rakuten’s funds, was to not only become a big club in Asia but the club in Asia.
