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Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta.jpg
Iniesta with Spain in 2017
Personal information
Full name Andrés Iniesta Luján[1]
Date of birth 11 May 1984 (age 34)
Place of birth Fuentealbilla, Spain
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Playing position Central midfielder
Club information
Current team
Vissel Kobe
Number 8
Youth career
1994–1996 Albacete
1996–2001 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 Barcelona B 54 (5)
2002–2018 Barcelona 442 (35)
2018– Vissel Kobe 11 (2)
National team
2000 Spain U15 2 (0)
2000–2001 Spain U16 7 (1)
2001 Spain U17 4 (0)
2001–2002 Spain U19 7 (1)
2003 Spain U20 7 (3)
2003–2006 Spain U21 18 (6)
2004–2005 Catalonia 2 (0)
2006–2018 Spain 131 (13)
Honours[show]
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league
only and correct as of 3 November 2018
Andrés Iniesta Luján (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈdɾes iˈnjesta luˈxan];
born 11 May 1984) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a
central midfielder for Japanese club Vissel Kobe. He spent most of his
career at Barcelona, where he served as the captain for three seasons.
Iniesta came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, after an
early migration from his birthplace, and impressed from an early age. He
made his first-team debut aged 18 in 2002. He began playing regularly
during the 2004–05 season and remained in the team until 2018. Iniesta
was an integral part of the Barcelona sides that won two historic trebles
in 2009 and 2015, and his 33 trophies, which includes nine La Ligas and
four UEFA Champions League titles, make him the most decorated
Spanish footballer of all time.[3]
Iniesta played for Spain at the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-21 levels
before making his international debut in 2006. He helped Spain win
Euro 2008, playing every game and being selected in the Team of the
Tournament. Iniesta was also a key member of the victorious Spanish
team at the 2010 World Cup; he scored the winning goal in the final
against the Netherlands, for which he was named the Man of the Match,
and was selected to the tournament's All-Star Team. At Euro 2012,
Iniesta led Spain to their second consecutive continental crown, again
being chosen as the Man of the Match of the final against Italy, and was
named the Player of the Tournament.
Contents
1 Club career
1.1 Barcelona
1.1.1 Early career
1.1.2 2004–08
1.1.3 2008–09
1.1.4 2009–12
1.1.5 2013–18
1.2 Vissel Kobe
2 International career
2.1 2001–08
2.2 2008–12
2.3 2013–18
3 Style of play and reception
4 Media and sponsorship
5 Personal life
6 Career statistics
6.1 Club
6.2 International
6.3 International goals
7 Honours
7.1 Club
7.2 International
7.3 Individual
7.4 Decorations
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Club career
Barcelona
Early career
Iniesta comes from Fuentealbilla, a small village in the province of
Albacete, Castile–La Mancha, Spain. At the age of 12, while playing for
Albacete Balompié in a junior seven-a-side tournament in Albacete, he
attracted the attention of scouts from clubs around Spain.[8] His parents
knew Barcelona's youth team coach, Enrique Orizaola, and he persuaded
them to consider sending Iniesta to the Barcelona youth academy. Iniesta
traveled there with his parents and visited La Masia, the farmhouse
where the club houses its young players; the trip convinced them to
enroll Iniesta in the Barcelona youth ranks.[9]
"Receive, pass, offer, receive, pass, offer."
—Iniesta on La Masia education of ball retention, passing and using
space[10]
Iniesta says he "cried rivers" the day he left for La Masia and struggled
being separated from his parents;[11] he was very shy and kept to
himself while there.[12] He captained the Barcelona Under-15 team to
victory in the Nike Premier Cup of 1999, scoring the winning goal in the
last minute of the final, and was named player of the tournament. Just
after Iniesta arrived at the club, then-captain Pep Guardiola famously
told fellow midfielder Xavi: "You're going to retire me. This lad
[Iniesta] is going to retire us all."[4]
2004–08
2008–09
At the start of the 2008–09 season, in September 2008, Iniesta was
elected the fourth-choice captain behind, in order of preference, Carles
Puyol, Xavi and Víctor Valdés; all four were products of the Barcelona
youth system.[24] His performances throughout the season were highly
lauded, and he received standing ovations both in Barcelona at the Camp
Nou, as well as from rival supporters in away matches.[25] A leg injury
sustained in mid-November 2008 left Iniesta sidelined until 3 January;
initially expected to return to action in six weeks, he did not want to
come back until he was 100 percent. Upon his return to action, as a 65th-
minute substitute against Mallorca, he scored a crucial goal after just ten
minutes on the pitch and completed a Barcelona comeback in front of
the Camp Nou.[26]
"I knew I would play injured and do more damage. For 17 days, all I
thought about was the final in Rome and winning, even knowing that I
would do more damage. I'd repeat it, for sure. I love this club and my
profession and I wanted to win. If we had lost the final that would have
been a total disaster."
—Iniesta on the victorious 2009 UEFA Champions League Final[30]
Iniesta's goal against Chelsea sent Barcelona through to the final in
Rome against defending champions Manchester United. Prior to the
final, United manager Alex Ferguson identified Iniesta as Barça's
biggest threat: "He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he
finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible. He's
so important for Barcelona."[11] Despite a thigh injury, Iniesta played
and was influential in the game, providing the assist for the first goal
scored by Samuel Eto'o as his team went on to win 2–0.[31] In his
analysis, David Pleat wrote, "In the end the midfield artistry of Iniesta
and Xavi, helped by [Lionel] Messi, was the critical factor."[32] After
the game, United striker Wayne Rooney described Iniesta as the best
player in the world.[33]
Iniesta received plaudits for his performances that season; Don Balón
rated him as the league's most consistent performer.[34] Later that year,
he placed fifth for the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award, with
134 votes,[35] and fourth for the Ballon d'Or, receiving 149 points.[36]
Barcelona extended his contract by one year, until 2015, and raised his
buy-out clause to €200 million.[37]
2009–12
Barcelona won a second successive league title in the 2009–10 season,
securing a record 99 points. Individually, however, Iniesta endured a
campaign largely disrupted by recurring injuries. He missed pre-season
fitness training due to the thigh tear suffered in the 2009 Champions
League final.[38] Despite featuring in almost as many matches as the
previous season, he did so mostly as a substitute, starting only 20 games
throughout.[39] His season came to a premature end in April after he
aggravated a previous calf injury during training.[40]
Iniesta playing against Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Champions League,
October 2009.
A contributing factor of Iniesta's fractured season were the episodes of
psychological instability he suffered privately following the death of his
close friend Daniel Jarque, a fellow footballer, in August 2009. Even
when physically fit, he was often unable to complete training sessions or
exert himself. After seeking psychological help, he experienced catharsis
when he scored Spain's match-winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World
Cup final, which he dedicated to Jarque by revealing the message "Dani
Jarque, always with us" written on his undershirt.[41] "I did it because I
felt it deeply," Iniesta said at the time. "It showed that what is more
important than rivalry, your team or your colours is to be human and a
good person. I am delighted because it was the most important moment
in my career."[42] Regarding the recurrent injuries that plagued his
season, he said, "It was hard, but I will start with more desire than
ever."[42]
Iniesta scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season during the opening
league fixture against Racing de Santander, lobbing the ball into the net
from a distance of 30 yards.[43] Throughout the campaign, he received
standing ovations from opposition fans, including at El Sardinero and
the Vicente Calderón Stadium, in appreciation of his World Cup-
winning goal.[44] Another standing ovation came on the home pitch of
Espanyol in the Derbi barceloní, with the crowd acknowledging his
friendship with Daniel Jarque, Espanyol's captain at the time of his
death.[45] Iniesta was one of the three finalists for the 2010 FIFA Ballon
d'Or alongside Xavi and Messi, placing as runner-up behind the
Argentine.[46]
Iniesta started the 2011–12 season by scoring the opening goal in the
second leg of the Supercopa de España against rivals Real Madrid.
Barcelona went on to win the match 3–2 and the cup 5–4 on aggregate.
One of his best goals followed in October against Viktoria Plzeň in the
Champions League group stage after an interchange of passes with
Messi. Iniesta played a record 51 matches unbeaten in La Liga,
concluding with Barcelona's 2–0 defeat of Mallorca on 24 March.[47] In
the Champions League, he ended a goal drought by scoring a vital goal
against Milan in the quarter-finals. From there, he went on to score in
the semi-final against Chelsea to make the scoreline 2–0, but the match
ended 2–2, eliminating his team 3–2 on aggregate. Towards the end of
the year, on 25 November, Iniesta was named man of the match after
scoring one goal and providing three assists in a 4–0 win over Levante.
[48] His performances earned him third place in the voting of the 2012
FIFA Ballon d'Or.[49]
Vissel Kobe
On 24 May 2018, Japanese club Vissel Kobe announced the signing of
Iniesta on a three-year deal.[60] He made his debut on 22 July, coming
on as a second-half substitute for Kazuma Watanabe in a 0–3 defeat
against Shonan Bellmare.[61]
International career
2001–08
Iniesta burst on to the international scene in 2001, helping Spain win the
UEFA European Under-16 Championship. After representing his
country at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship held in Trinidad
and Tobago,[62] he was in the squad that claimed the UEFA European
Under-19 Championship the following year. From then, he became a
regular choice for youth coach Juan Santisteban. In 2003, he was part of
the side that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in the
United Arab Emirates, and was named in the FIFA all-star team.[63]
During his spell with the Spain U21 side, Iniesta was named captain on
several occasions.
Iniesta was called up to represent the senior Spain squad at the 2006
FIFA World Cup on 15 May 2006, much to the surprise of many. He
won his first cap for La Furia Roja when he was brought on at half-time
in a friendly against Russia on 27 May.[63] His first goal followed in a
friendly against England on 7 February 2007. His long-range effort,
hitting the underside of the crossbar on the way in, gave Spain the lead
on 63 minutes. Iniesta played a pivotal part in Spain's qualification for
UEFA Euro 2008 by scoring goals against Sweden and by assisting the
strikers.
2008–12
Iniesta was selected for Spain in the 2010 World Cup and scored the
second goal in a 2–1 group stage win against Chile. He was also named
man of the match.[66] For his excellent performances in helping Spain
reach the final of the tournament, Iniesta was shortlisted for the Golden
Ball award.[67] During the final, he scored the winning goal in the 116th
minute of a 1–0 win against Netherlands.[68] He earned a yellow card
for removing his jersey during his ecstatic goal celebration to reveal his
message to his late friend Dani Jarque.[69][70] He won the man of the
match award for his performance in the final, which gave Spain its first-
ever World Cup.[71]
At UEFA Euro 2012, Iniesta was awarded the man of the match award
for his performances in three different matches. He was also selected as
man of the match in the final against Italy, which Spain won 4–0. In
winning the award, Iniesta became the only Spanish player to win the
award at least once in each of Spain's three consecutive successful
tournaments.[72] Iniesta was also chosen as the UEFA Euro 2012 Player
of the Tournament.[73]
2013–18
"The one who plays this game the best is Iniesta: he knows exactly when
to go forward and when to drop back. He picks the right moment to do
everything: when to dribble, when to speed things up and when to slow
things down. And I think that's the only thing that can't be taught or
bought. You can learn how to shoot and how to control the ball, but
being aware of everything that's happening out on the pitch – that's
something you're either born with or you're not."
Former Argentina playmaker Juan Román Riquelme on Iniesta[83]
Iniesta evades Claudio Marchisio during the UEFA Euro 2012 Final
Much like other Barcelona youth products such as Pep Guardiola, Xavi
and Iván de la Peña, Iniesta is a playmaker who relies on exceptional
creative passing, intuition and inventiveness to control the midfield and
dictate the ebb and flow of play.[84] Iniesta has been praised for his
understanding and interplay with Xavi; former Barcelona teammate
Giovanni van Bronckhorst said of the pair, "They have a special
relationship, they always have, they just seem to know where the other
one is."[85] During his maturation as a player, he has gained a reputation
for playing a part in important goals for club and country, specifically
playing a leading role in the 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 UEFA
Champions League finals, as well as the 2010 World Cup Final, Euro
2012 final and Euro 2008 semi-final.[80]
His willingness to play anywhere on the pitch has earned him the
sobriquet El Ilusionista (The Illusionist), El Cerebro (The Brain), El
Anti-Galáctico (a pun on Real Madrid players' nickname Los
Galácticos), El Caballero Pálido (The Pale Knight)[86] and most
recently Don Andrés from the Spanish press. Zinedine Zidane also
praised Iniesta, stating on the Spanish radio station Cadena COPE,
"Iniesta really impresses me. He's got so much influence in Spain's
game. He reminds me of myself." Fernando Torres, Spain's striker, said,
"We've been playing together since we were 15 and I have never, ever
seen him play badly."[87] He is widely regarded as one of the most
respected and best midfielders of all time.[4][5][6][7]
Personal life
Iniesta is married to Anna Ortiz; the couple began dating in 2008 and
wed on 8 July 2012.[93][94] They have two daughters, Valeria (born
April 2011) and Siena (born May 2017), and a son, Paolo Andrea (born
May 2015).[95] They lost an unborn child, son Andrés Jr., due to
miscarriage in March 2014.[96] Iniesta is a Catholic.[97]