Surprisingly, Lionel Messi won’t be on the field when his longtime teammate and friend, Andres Iniesta, plays his farewell “El Clasico” match in Tokyo on 15th December. The absence of Messi—who, after Inter Miami’s season, opted for a break—marks the end of an era for the duo that helped Barcelona to unprecedented success.

This exhibition match, titled "A Historic Match: The First-Ever 'El Clasico' in Japan," will be held in Ajinomoto Stadium. It is to bring former Barcelona and Real Madrid legends together to honor Iniesta. Though Messi won’t be there to join his “Last Dance,” the night will celebrate their legacy, a partnership that defined an era and left an indelible mark on football fans around the globe.

The presence of Xavi, Rivaldo, Javier Mascherano, Rafa Marquez, Bojan Krkic, Adriano, Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Julio Baptista, Steve McManaman, Savio, and Ivan Campo is likely to be seen however, there is no Messi.

For over a decade, Messi and Iniesta were the heartbeat of Barcelona, winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. Their chemistry and brilliance created some of football’s finest moments, with Messi’s record 672 goals fueled by Iniesta’s midfield mastery. Now, as Iniesta bids farewell, Messi’s absence will undoubtedly be felt on this emotional night.