Iniesta’s love for Japan continues to grow as he enjoys snowy Tokyo on his “first visit to Japan in six months.

On an early February evening after heavy snow had fallen in the Kanto region since the previous night, former Spain international Andres Iniesta (39=UAE Emirates Club) was walking around Tokyo Midtown (Minato Ward) in his thick down jacket to keep warm.

He was in Japan as an ambassador for the preseason match between Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi (36), and J1 League champion Vissel Kobe at the National Stadium on February 7. He was about to go out for dinner with his family, his first visit to Japan in about six months since leaving Vissel last July.

Iniesta was no longer with Vissel, where he had been for five years, after new coach Takayuki Yoshida decided to go with the “de Iniesta” approach of running hard rather than using technique. Iniesta accepted the reality of the situation and left the club to seek an opportunity to play. At the press conference, he said, “I have always imagined myself retiring here,” and the tears in his eyes are still burned strongly in the eyes of fans.

During his visit to Japan, Iniesta was interviewed by NHK about the Noto Peninsula earthquake and said, “The earthquake was a great tragedy and I was shocked. I want to always be close to Kobe and Japan because I consider myself and my family a part of it,'” he said, reiterating that he is a pro-Japan person. These words impressed not only the fans but also many Japanese, and social networking sites were lined with words of praise for Iniesta.

Iniesta went out into the snowy streets of Tokyo and took a photo with his hood up and a big smile on his face on Keyakizaka Street in Roppongi. When the image was posted on his Instagram page, fans immediately responded,

She loves Japan so much! She looks like she’s having so much fun in Japan.

He seems to be having a lot of fun in Japan.

Iniesta’s new club, Emirates Club (UAE), is currently struggling at the bottom of the league, but his temporary stay in Japan must have refreshed him.

FRIDAY Digital welcomes your information and tip-offs. Please send your information to the following information form or to the official X.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips

Official X: https://twitter.com/FRIDAY_twit