Spain legend Iniesta retires after 'saddest day'
Moscow, July 2 : A Spain legend Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from international football here on Sunday after their shocking loss to hosts Russia in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
"It's a reality that today is my last match with the national team. At the individual level, a wonderful stage ends," the hero of Spain's only World Cup championship in 2010 told reporters at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, reports Efe.
"It's a shame we couldn't go through. Penalties are cruel. The guilty ones are always the players and everyone of us is responsible," he added.
"Overall it's probably the saddest day of my career. I leave with a bad taste in my mouth.AIt's tough for everybody, the 34-year-old midfielder said, acknowledging his disappointment about losing to underdogs Russia on penalty kicks.
With 13 goals in 131 appearances for Spain, Iniesta was a vital part of the La Roja side that claimed the 2008 and 2012 European Championships as well as the 2010 World Cup, where he scored the winning goal.
Iniesta declined to second-guess coach Fernando Hierro's decision to leave him on the bench until past the one-hour mark of Sunday's match.
"The coach is the one who makes the decision, beyond whether one agrees or not," Iniesta said. "At the end, the coach looks at what's best for the team, and that's how I understood it," he added, reports Xinhua news agency.
Iniesta said the players could not blame turbulence off the pitch for their failure to live up to expectations. "It would be wrong to say that (coach Julen Lopetegui's) dismissal was fundamental," he said.
"Everything has its importance. But in the end, we are the ones who have the ball."
Iniesta, who will play for Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after ending his 22-year FC Barcelona career in May, is confident Spain can rebuild ahead of the next World Cup in Qatar.
"There are players around, they just have to find a path to success," he said. "It's not easy and harder than it appears. But the national team will keep going there are players who have a good level."
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After six-year cancer battle, Chhattisgarh man cracks UPSC exam in third attempt
Mahasamund (PTI): Overcoming a six-year battle with cancer and resigning from three jobs, Sanjay Dahariya from Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district has secured the 946th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 in his third attempt.
The 38-year-old son of a farmer from Beltukri has brought immense pride and joy to his family and the people of his village.
Dahariya's academic journey began at a local government school, but it took a significant turn when he was selected for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mana (Raipur), in Class 5.
The path to the civil services was fraught with professional and personal hurdles for Dahariya.
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After a stint with the State Bank of India in West Bengal from 2009 to 2011, he resigned to focus on higher goals. However, in 2012, he was diagnosed with cancer in the salivary glands, leading to a gruelling treatment that lasted six years.
Undeterred, Dahariya, who also suffers from a minor vision impairment, continued his pursuit of civil services and kept his career on track with another stint at a bank in Raipur and at the Mahasamund Post Office.
He began appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2022, dedicating himself entirely towards his goal, striking gold in the third attempt in 2025.
"I hope to serve the country through the civil services. Whether I secure an IAS cadre or another service, my commitment to public service remains firm," Dahariya said, crediting his success to the unwavering support of his family and mentors during his illness.
Mahasamund Collector Vinay Kumar Langeh and District Education Officer Vijay Kumar Lahare congratulated Dahariya, hailing his achievement, which serves as an example for courage and perseverance.
