FC Tokyo have reportedly hired an Andrés Iniesta lookalike to stand in for the Spanish star after it was revealed the acclaimed new Vissel Kobe signing will miss an upcoming J1 League clash between the two sides.

Vissel Kobe business director Masayuki Mori told ESPN FC:

Iniesta has made a quick trip back to Spain to pick up his family and bring them to Japan.

He will be away for just a few days and will then return to action.

https://twitter.com/TheSportsman/status/1025330143764639746

Japanese publication Sports Hochi describe Iniesta lookalike Iam Noda as “a skilled man” who has previously been on TV and is part of a comedy trio called ‘Onigashima’.

Noda plans to appear at the match wearing full Kobe kit with the former Barcelona player’s number 8 on his back.

Read more: hochi.co.jp