Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta was in tears as he announced a new decision regarding his career after "things haven't gone as he wanted them to" this season.
The veteran midfielder has confirmed he will be leaving his current team Vissel Kobe after spending five years at the club.
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The Spaniard, who is considered one of the greatest playmakers of all time, will leave midway through the Japanese season in July, but made it clear he is not retiring from the sport, according to the Daily Mail.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday morning, the 39-year-old said: "I always thought I would retire here, but things haven't gone as I wanted them to.
"For the past few months I've trained hard with the intention of contributing to the team, but I started to feel that the coach [Takayuki Yoshida] had different priorities.
"That was my reality and I accepted it with respect. In the end, I decided in discussions with the club that the best decision was to leave, based on a combination of my competitive reality and the passion I felt for continuing to play.
"I have grown a lot as a person and as a professional while being surrounded by great friends at Vissel Kobe. Not only did I get to play football, but I also got to experience and savour this wonderful Japanese culture.
"I now have special feelings for a country that has welcomed my family so warmly."
Asked where he will play next, he answered: "I have to tell you the truth, I don't know. I want to keep playing football. I feel like I am capable of still playing.
"But as this chapter closes, we'll see what's possible.
"I want to finish my career on the pitch playing, and this is what I'm hoping to do."
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One of his last games for the J-League outfit is expected to be a clash against his former club FC Barcelona in a post-season friendly on 6 June in Tokyo.
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