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Exclusive: Barcelona great Iniesta warned 'Argentina is not the J-League'

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has been warned over plans to extend his career in Argentina.

The former Barca and Spain captain has chosen to leave J-League club Vissel Kobe after over five years in Japan.

However, now at the age of 39, Iniesta isn't ready to hang up the boots just yet and wants to play on next season.

Offers from around the world have arrived for Iniesta's consideration and among those being seriously considered is a proposal from Argentinos Juniors in Argentina.

Iniesta has confirmed talks have been held with Argentinos Juniors, where his former Barca teammate Gabi Milito is now sporting director.

And the midfielder is interested, with Iniesta convinced he has "years" left ahead of him as a player.

But former Boca Juniors and Valencia striker Dario Felman has a warning for Iniesta. The Argentine is regarded as a legend at both VCF and Boca and says the veteran Spaniard must be wary of the massive change he faces going from the J-League to Argentina's Primera Division.

Felman wrote in his Tribalfootball.com column: "The idea came from Gabriel Milito, the Argentine manager of Argentinos Juniors. Milito played at FC Barcelona with Andreas Iniesta and they remain great friends.

"He will have told Iniesta that the Argentine league is a competitive one but he won't have told Iniesta that Argentina is a chaotic country with economic insecurity and very high inflation."

Beyond issues off the pitch, Felman also has a warning for Iniesta of what he faces on it: "It's not Japan!

"Football is everything in Argentina. It's really a passion there! However, for the problems I have explained…I just don't see Iniesta playing in Argentina as viable."

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