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Iniesta announced last week that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, ending his 22-year association at the Catalan giants.
The Spain international is expected to make a big-money move to the Chinese Super League in the summer, despite recent reports linking him with a move to Manchester City.
The 33-year-old playmaker won 14 of his 35 honours at Barcelona under Guardiola.
However, the City boss insists the club couldn’t afford Iniesta’s wages even if he did want him at the Etihad.
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“I think when Andres decided to move on from Barcelona it was not to come to Manchester”
Pep Guardiola
"I think when Andres decided to move on from Barcelona it was not to come to Manchester," said Guardiola.
"It’s another way to decide to make the last years of his career, in another place, for many, many reasons.
“But if he wanted to compete still at a high level, he [would have stayed] in Barcelona.
“We can’t offer him what he had in Barcelona, here. He decided for other reasons, not just football terms."
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Iniesta scored in the 5-0 demolition of Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final last weekend before yesterday’s 4-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna to secure the La Liga title.
And after the game the Spaniard said: ”I’m making the most honest decision for me and for my club.
"I want to finish with good feelings, then go to the World Cup and now to another adventure.
"I wish this was eternal. I'm the first one who would like this not to end but all this has its beginning and its end."