Barcelona sports chief Eric Abidal has paid tribute to Andres Iniesta.

The former captain left for Vissel Kobe last summer.

At the club's ordinary general assembly, Abidal stated: "We could talk about him for hour and hours.

"He was an exemplary player and person.

"He took the decision to go to another country and to try out a new experience in Japan.

"He left on a free, but he knows that the door is always open here."