TOKYO－With Spain one of the country's hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Barcelona great Andres Iniesta says he is finding it tough to watch events unfold in Europe from his new home in Japan.

Iniesta, who joined Vissel Kobe in 2018 after a trophy-laden career at Barca, told Reuters in an interview last week that while the importance of soccer was secondary during the health crisis it was frustrating not to be able to play.

Japan's domestic soccer season has been put on hold during the crisis, with Iniesta remaining in Kobe with his wife and three children.

The 35-year-old, one of the most technically gifted midfielders to ever play the game, said it was difficult to be away from his wider family and friends back in Spain.

"It is a very difficult situation because you are not there with them, with your loved ones," he said through a translator.

"You can't see what is happening on a daily life level so that is difficult but we keep talking on a daily basis, checking in with them and just hoping that the situation gets better."

The new coronavirus has infected more than 200,000 people in Spain and killed over 20,000. Japan has confirmed more than 13,000 infections of the virus with over 350 deaths.

Having to stay home and being unable to train properly has been a challenge but he is savoring being able to spend more time with his family.

"Right now, I think football becomes a secondary thing," added Iniesta, who scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final.

"What is important right now is people's lives, people's jobs, trying to move society forward to get out of this situation.

"Having said that, of course as a professional footballer it is difficult to not be able to play football, to not be able to share time with my fans, my teammates.

"I try to focus on the positive things－staying at home I get to spend much more time with my family and with my kids, which normally it is not that easy to do."

Unexpected hero

After a 16-year spell at Barcelona that saw him win nine La Liga and four Champions League titles, Iniesta decided to take up a new challenge in the J.League.

His storied career and that move to Japan are the subject of a documentary about his life, Andres Iniesta－The unexpected hero, which was released last week.

Despite winning virtually everything there is to win in Europe, Iniesta has not come to Japan to slide quietly into retirement.

He led Vissel Kobe to its first piece of silverware when it won the Emperors' Cup in January, and now he is hungry for more success in Japan.

After his playing days end he says he wants to move into coaching but will take things one step at a time.

"I feel I want to pursue being a coach but we will see what happens, things change on a daily basis so in a few years we don't know what will happen," he said.

"For now, I am focusing on what I have in front of me."

When soccer is given the green light to resume, Iniesta wants to pick up where he left off, imparting his wisdom to Kobe's younger players and aiming for a first J.League championship.

The J.League has said it will be May at the earliest when matches can return.

"I want to share my experience with the young players. I think it is my responsibility too and it forms part of the big project I came here for," said Iniesta.

"I like to talk with them, share things with them and I also like the feeling that they can ask me questions and they are learning stuff."

REUTERS