From Barcelona to Emirates via World Cup and Japan: Andres Iniesta's career in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

Andres Iniesta will soon begin a new chapter of his remarkable career when the veteran Spanish midfielder plays his first match for Adnoc Pro League side Emirates Club.

After arriving in the UAE on Monday night, Iniesta put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Ras Al Khaimah club with the option of a further year extension. He will be officially presented as an Emirates player at a press conference on Wednesday evening.

The signing is something of a coup for a club only just promoted to the UAE top-flight, with Iniesta reportedly opting for Emirates over a reunion with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami.

Iniesta's arrival also provides some major star power to the UAE football scene. The Spaniard may be 39 years old but is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation having won virtually every major trophy at club and international level.

As Iniesta prepares to embark on this new journey, we have put together the photo gallery above which contains many of his career highlights, including his debut for Barcelona, the many trophies he won with his boyhood club, and that famous night with Spain in Johannesburg.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

The specs: 2018 Renault Megane

Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200

Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder

Transmission Continuously variable transmission

Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: August 09, 2023, 9:12 AM`