Former FC Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta is facing serious allegations in Peru, where the country’s Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation for alleged fraud.
According to reports from both local and international media, the World Cup winner with Spain is accused of being involved—through his companies—in a scheme that allegedly defrauded Peruvian investors of around €518,000 (approximately $600,000).

Canceled Projects and Broken Promises

The complaint names two companies linked to Iniesta: Never Say Never (NSN) Barcelona and its South American branch, NSN Sudamérica. Both allegedly promoted multiple entertainment projects in Peru that never materialized.

Among the events announced were an international friendly match, a K-pop festival, a legends football exhibition, and a music event called Upa Upa Fest, the only one that actually took place — but which ended in heavy financial losses.

According to the plaintiffs, those losses led to the cancellation of the remaining events, and no refunds were issued to the Peruvian investors who had financed the ventures.

Iniesta’s Side of the Story

Sources close to the former midfielder told Spanish outlet La Sexta that Iniesta is “deeply affected” by the situation and may have been misadvised by people within his business circle, which also harmed third parties.

While Iniesta has yet to release an official statement, one of the companies involved is reportedly in liquidation “to address outstanding financial obligations.”
Representatives for the footballer maintain that Iniesta had no direct role in operational decisions or financial management related to the Peruvian projects.

An Ongoing Investigation

Peruvian prosecutors are investigating whether the money raised in Peru was transferred to foreign accounts, and whether Iniesta’s public image was used to attract investors under false promises of large-scale sports and entertainment events.

One affected businessman, Emilio Lozano, told Spanish TV program Y Ahora Sonsoles that there was no official communication from the companies and no explanation about where the funds went:

“We were never notified of anything. We found out the company was being liquidated. They didn’t take responsibility for anything, even though they said they would.”

From Football Glory to Legal Trouble

Famed for scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and for his legendary career at Barcelona, Iniesta now finds himself at the center of a controversy that could escalate into a criminal case.

The Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office continues to gather documents and testimonies from all parties involved.
For now, one of football’s most beloved figures remains silent, waiting for clarity in a case that has cast an unexpected shadow over his post-playing career.