Andres Iniesta facing FOUR months on the sidelines after thigh injury with

Andres Iniesta faces a four-month lay-off after suffering a thigh injury for Vissel Kobe in the Asian Champions League.

The legendary Spanish midfielder ruptured the rectus femoris in his right thigh during his side’s quarter-final win against Suwon Bluewings last week.

He flew back to Barcelona for treatment by high-profile sports surgeon Ramon Cugat, and in a statement on Twitter announced the operation had been successful. 

Andres Iniesta announced he was recovering from surgery on a thigh injury in Barcelona

The midfielder suffered the injury in Vissel Kobe’s Asian Champions League quarter-final

‘The surgery has been a success and I am feeling very well,’ he said in a post accompanied by a photo of him after the operation.

‘My objective is to get back on track as soon as possible and enjoy what I like doing the most.

‘All my energy is already put into the recovery and the work that lies ahead.’  

Iniesta moved to Japan in 2018 after becoming an icon at Barcelona, making 674 appearances for the Catalan giants after coming through their academy, La Masia.

Iniesta (left) has made 74 appearances for Vissel Kobe since joining from Barcelona in 2018

He won numerous trophies at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side and wrote his name into Spanish folklore when he scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.

Iniesta retired from international football after Spain’s last 16 exit on penalties to Russia at the 2018 World Cup, having collected more than 130 caps.

In an interview with Pete Jenson for Sportsmail earlier this year, Iniesta said he was focussed on continuing to play football rather than any future return to Barca as coach. 

‘Right now, I just want to keep kicking a ball for as long as I can, because that’s what makes me happy,’ he said. 

‘And when that does end, I have always said that I would love to go back to Barca. It all depends on how it would happen.’ 

Iniesta has made 74 appearances for Vissel Kobe, scoring 16 goals and providing 18 assists during his time with the J-League side.