Kyogo Furuhashi has sent out an emotional message on social media to former teammate Andres Iniesta, with the midfielder set to depart Japan club Vissel Kobe.
The Celtic striker, 28, was asked about the former Barcelona player, 39, with whom he played alongside for three years, as the veteran looks to take his next steps in the game after his five-year stint at the J1 League side.
Kyogo said when asked about Iniesta at Lennoxtown: "I think he (Iniesta) taught me a lot of things.
"Playing together on the pitch really helped me develop many of my qualities and he really encouraged me to play as myself at all times, so I think it was a really valuable time for me.
"Off the pitch, I really only have real respect for him as a person. Words cannot express how much I really like Andres as a person, and I am very happy to have played with him at Vissel Kobe."
🍀 Kyogo's message to @andresiniesta8, who has announced his departure from @visselkobe💚@Kyogo_Furuhashi expresses his gratitude to his former ally who played for the club with him🙆 pic.twitter.com/BTxn01uiNx
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 26, 2023
The two footballers played alongside each other from 2018 to 2021, and in this short time, the pair won both the Emperor's Cup and the Japanese Super Cup in 2019 and 2020 respectively for Kobe.
When asked about what his career would have been liked if he and Iniesta had not crossed paths, Kyogo replied: "That is a difficult question.
"We've already played together so IÂ can't imagine what it would have been like if we hadn't met. That's how rich the experience of playing with him was and I'm glad I got to meet him."
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The legendary midfielder, who has won World Cups, European Championships and Champions League titles during his trophy-laden career, has clearly had a massive impact on the Scottish Premiership and PFA Scotland Player's Player of the Year.
Signing off on his message to Iniesta, Kyogo said: "I love you so much.
"I think the time I spent playing with Andres was really valuable in helping me to grow so much so IÂ don't know what form he will take in the future. I want him to play for as long as possible. I am in a different country but I will work even harder to get more goals.
"Wishing all the best to his future."
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