FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is set to play for the club again but may also join former teammate Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia, according to SPORT.

The Spaniard announced his departure from current club Vissel Kobe, who he joined in 2018 when stepping away from Camp Nou, by "mutual agreement" on Thursday because of a lack of playing time.

In the press conference to reveal the development, Iniesta reiterated that he "would love to return to Barcelona at some point in my life", but added that he thinks it is still "far away".

Though this probably alludes to taking up some sort of behind-the-scenes role at the club he joined as a 12-year-old, Iniesta might be seen representing Barca a lot sooner than both he and most fans would imagine.

According to SPORT, the prospect of Iniesta playing a half for FC Barcelona and a half for Vissel Kobe in an upcoming friendly at the National Stadium in Tokyo on June 6 has already been tabled.

Talks are underway to see what would be a nostalgic and heart-warming appearance for one of the greatest midfielder of all time come to fruition, and essentially have to be given the green light by his current Japanese employers.

With former midfield partner Xavi Hernandez in the dugout and president Joan Laporta - who must remember Iniesta fondly from his first stint in charge in the mid-to-late 2000s back behind the wheel - it seems difficult to imagine that there would be any objections from the Blaugrana side of the argument.

An emotional Iniesta, 38, revealed that he had hoped to retire at Vissel Kobe but will now look to continue his career elsewhere.

Playing for Barca in the upcoming friendly would allow for a reunion with Sergio Busquets. But also according to SPORT, Iniesta has an offer on the table from the same Saudi club Al-Hilal that is looking to snatch away other ex-Barca locker room colleagues of his in Messi, Busquets and Alba.

Busquets and Alba have already announced their departures on June 30. This is the same date that Messi becomes a free agent at Paris Saint Germain, and while Barca are working hard to have him return for a second stint in their colors, El Chiringuito has already reported that Messi, Busquets and Alba have accepted offers from Al-Hilal.

Messi's father and agent Jorge Messi has released a statement denying that there is an agreement in place with any club. This week, though, Beteve reported that he is pushing his son towards taking the big money - some €350 million ($375.5 million) a year according to El Chiringuito - in the Middle East with his wish set to be obeyed by the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.