Iniesta poses with cheque worth half a week’s wages… after NINE penalties are missed in Japanese Super Cup final

FOOTBALL legend Andres Iniesta helped his Vissel Kobe team win the Japanese Super Cup after a calamitous penalty shoot-out win against Yokohama F Marinos.

And after the triumph Iniesta proudly stood by the winners’ cheque of 30million yen – which is less than half of what he earns in a week over in the Far East.

The former Barcelona star signed a £450,000-a-week deal when he joined the J-League outfit in May 2018.

That is the equivalent of 63million yen – making him one of the highest paid players in the world.

So Vissel’s prize for winning silverware pales into insignificance compared to what they shell out for the 35-year-old midfielder.

But at least they are getting something in return for their money with Iniesta helping Kobe to their second trophy since he joined.

It was a good commercial for Japanese soccer

Vissel Kobe manager Thorsten Fink

The Japanese Super Cup ended 3-3 after extra-time, before Kobe secured a 3-2 shoot-out success.

But incredibly NINE players missed their spot-kicks in a row in what was an abysmal penalty shoot-out. But the ever-reliable Iniesta of course netted his.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for his former Barca team-mate Thomas Vermaelen who fluffed his lines for Kobe.

Speaking after the game former German international Thorsten Fink, who now manages Kobe, told The Japan Times: “It was a good commercial for Japanese soccer. I hope the fans enjoyed it.

“I’ve never seen a penalty shootout like that.

“It’s great to win a title, and if you look at the match both teams fought hard.

“We showed that we were focused on winning the title and I’m happy about that.”