Andres Iniesta has launched his football academy in Dubai, days after starting his first coaching role in the UAE.
The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder announced the Iniesta Academy at a press conference at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, alongside local partner Abdulrahman Almeqbali.
The academy will hold open trials at Dubai Sports World from August 1 to 14th. Locations for the academy will be selected across Dubai after the trials.
The academy will hold open trials at Dubai Sports World from August 1 to 14th
Iniesta, 42, is now based in Dubai and was recently appointed head coach of Gulf United, who play in the UAE First Division. It is his first senior coaching job since ending his playing career in 2024.
He has completed his UEFA A Licence and is working towards his Pro Licence.
The move keeps him close to the game in the UAE, where he spent the final part of his playing career with Emirates Club.
Iniesta retired in October 2024 after a career that included four Champions League titles and nine La Liga titles with Barcelona. He also scored Spain’s winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.
The academy will focus on football training, decision-making and player values. Iniesta said the aim is to build players with good habits on and off the pitch.
“Our mission is not just to make football players, but also pay equal attention to having wonderful humans,” Iniesta said.
“It is very important to be a good player who has all the skills and motivation to become successful. But it is equally, if not more important, to see that each player develops with core human values of kindness, fairness and equality.”
Iniesta said the academy will be supervised by technical directors chosen to deliver his training approach.
“Decision-making on the field and adapting to a fast-changing game is one thing, but having a player who believes in humanity is something that is even more valuable for us at the academy,” he said.
The launch adds another high-profile name to Dubai’s youth football scene, which continues to attract academies, clubs and coaches from around the world.
“I feel this is the right time for me to give something back to the sport,” he said.
“I have always had this deep desire to coach and train the young ones, so that they not only have a role model before them, but also a blueprint on how they can achieve greatness in sport.”
Almeqbali said the project is designed to help identify and support young players in Dubai.
Open trials will run at Dubai Sports World from August 1st to 14th.
