The 40-year-old Iniesta ended a 22-year career that also included two European Championship titles and four Champions Leagues trophies.
"I never expected that this day would come, I never imagined it," an emotional Iniesta said at a ceremony in Barcelona on Tuesday.
"But all the tears from the last few days are tears of emotion, or pride, they are not tears of sadness. They are tears of this kid who had the dream of being a soccer player and who succeeded after a lot of hard work, effort and sacrifice."
Andres Iniesta holds the Spanish Cup trophy after Barcelona's 2016 win over Seville. (AP PHOTO)
Since leaving Barcelona in 2018, he had been playing with Vissel Kobe in Japan, and for the last year with club Emirates in the UAE Pro League.
Iniesta made his first-team debut with Barcelona in 2002, and appeared 674 times.
Known for his unique ball control and above-average playmaking ability, Iniesta helped anchor a Barcelona midfield that also included Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets — in addition to Lionel Messi in attack — in a squad that thrived for many years with an enchanting and effective ball-possession style that became known as the tiki-taka.
Iniesta won nine Spanish leagues with the Catalan club, as well as six Copa del Reys.
Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta celebrate a Barcelona goal against Chelsea in 2018. (AP PHOTO)
"One of the most magical teammates, and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most," Messi said of Iniesta on Instagram.
"The ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you're a phenomenon."
Iniesta also helped Spain dominate world soccer by sweeping up the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, where he scored the extra-time winner with a right-footed shot from inside the area against the Netherlands in South Africa.
Iniesta was accompanied by his family in Barcelona. Also in attendance were Barcelona officials and members of the current squad including coach Hansi Flick.
