Andrés Iniesta is not only one of the world’s best football players, finishing third in the most recent Ballon d’Or voting, he is also one of the most beloved footballers around the world. In fact, he is the only Barça player who is equally acceptable for a Madrid or Espanyol fan to like. But what makes him so popular? Why is Iniesta special in this way?
Well, the story started in 1996 when Andrés Iniesta joined Barca as a twelve-year-old after scouts had spotted him at the Brunette Tournament playing for Albacete.
In 1999, it was his last minute 1-0 winning goal against Rosario Central in the Nike Premier Cup at the Camp Nou that made Barçaʼs U-15 team the best in the world. Josep Guardiola handed the trophy to Iniesta, the teamʼs captain, and told him that in 10 years’ time he would watch him do the same in the first team. Guardiola later stated that he had seen a 15-year-old who could read the game better than he could himself. Afterwards, Iniesta went back to his room and replaced his old Guardiola poster with a new one signed by his idol, “To the best player I’ve ever seen.”
Well, the story started in 1996 when Andrés Iniesta joined Barca as a twelve-year-old after scouts had spotted him at the Brunette Tournament playing for Albacete.
In 1999, it was his last minute 1-0 winning goal against Rosario Central in the Nike Premier Cup at the Camp Nou that made Barçaʼs U-15 team the best in the world. Josep Guardiola handed the trophy to Iniesta, the teamʼs captain, and told him that in 10 years’ time he would watch him do the same in the first team. Guardiola later stated that he had seen a 15-year-old who could read the game better than he could himself. Afterwards, Iniesta went back to his room and replaced his old Guardiola poster with a new one signed by his idol, “To the best player I’ve ever seen.”
Later, the first team coach at the time, Llorenç Serra Ferrer, decided to reward Iniesta by letting him train with the team. At first, Andrés thought it was a joke but Ferrer later commented,“I wanted to reward him because he was so special. He was modest, loyal, responsible and down to earth. He had tremendous emotional maturity and was very clever. He really listened and remembered all the details.” Guardiola hadn’t forgotten the boy as well and told his teammates to “remember this day, the day you first trained with Andrés Iniesta”. During the training session Guardiola told Xavi,“You will retire me, but this boy will retire us all.”
From the start he progressed rapidly through the club's various youth teams and was promoted to the Barça B team for the 2000-01 season, where he almost immediately became the team's main playmaker under coach Josep Maria Gonzalvo.
Andrés' dream of making the first team finally came true in October 2002 when he was picked to play in the Champions League game against Bruges in Belgium. Van Gaal's Barça won that evening and Andrés made an excellent impression.
Since then, Iniesta became a regular feature in the Barca squad, especially under Rijkaard's reign. He was instrumental in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Liga triumphs, and also the Champions league victory later the same season, more so due to Xavi's long absence during that time due to an injury.
It was the 2008/09 season when Iniesta was even better than ever and following the impressive Euro 2008 performance, started showing the best of his game. Playing in a central or wide role he delighted the whole world with his amazing dribbling skills. He grew into one of the essential components of the Barça engine, and took the team to the Champions League final in Rome thanks to his famous goal in the final seconds of the semi final at Stamford Bridge.
Iniesta’s finest hour in the national jersey was July 11, 2010, when the midfielder’s goal just four minutes from the end of extra time against Holland won Spain the World Cup for the first time ever. But before the World Cup 2010 final, Iniesta was focused on how to make the world remember Dani Jarque, his close friend and Espanyol’s captain, who suddenly passed away because of a heart attack. Later, Iniesta scored the winner which made Spain the world champion . When all the world was watching him, he took off his shirt and showed his message, “Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros.”
His personal individual performances collided with the dominating period by his Club and country, and as a result Barcelona won three Liga titles in a row and Spain won the World Cup.
At Euro 2012 was named player of the tournament in Poland in Ukraine, where he also collected his second winners medal. Later, Andres Iniesta was awarded the 2012 UEFA Best Player as the jury of 53 journalists around the continent valued Andres' commanding performance at the Euro 2012 championships as more important than the outrageous goal-scoring records by the other two candidates, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Andrés' dream of making the first team finally came true in October 2002 when he was picked to play in the Champions League game against Bruges in Belgium. Van Gaal's Barça won that evening and Andrés made an excellent impression.
Since then, Iniesta became a regular feature in the Barca squad, especially under Rijkaard's reign. He was instrumental in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Liga triumphs, and also the Champions league victory later the same season, more so due to Xavi's long absence during that time due to an injury.
It was the 2008/09 season when Iniesta was even better than ever and following the impressive Euro 2008 performance, started showing the best of his game. Playing in a central or wide role he delighted the whole world with his amazing dribbling skills. He grew into one of the essential components of the Barça engine, and took the team to the Champions League final in Rome thanks to his famous goal in the final seconds of the semi final at Stamford Bridge.
Iniesta’s finest hour in the national jersey was July 11, 2010, when the midfielder’s goal just four minutes from the end of extra time against Holland won Spain the World Cup for the first time ever. But before the World Cup 2010 final, Iniesta was focused on how to make the world remember Dani Jarque, his close friend and Espanyol’s captain, who suddenly passed away because of a heart attack. Later, Iniesta scored the winner which made Spain the world champion . When all the world was watching him, he took off his shirt and showed his message, “Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros.”
His personal individual performances collided with the dominating period by his Club and country, and as a result Barcelona won three Liga titles in a row and Spain won the World Cup.
At Euro 2012 was named player of the tournament in Poland in Ukraine, where he also collected his second winners medal. Later, Andres Iniesta was awarded the 2012 UEFA Best Player as the jury of 53 journalists around the continent valued Andres' commanding performance at the Euro 2012 championships as more important than the outrageous goal-scoring records by the other two candidates, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
After 11 seasons, 412 appearances, 41 goals and 19 titles won for Barcelona, Andresito is now more commonly known as "Don" Andres Iniesta. His legendary World Cup winning goal back in 2010 and his 2 European championships surely helped him earn recognition but it's his calmness, his impeccable attitude on and off the pitch that has won the hearts of millions around the globe.
On a personal note though, Andres Iniesta will always be that young boy from Albacete who turned up for training one day, unaware he was going to light the Blaugrana sky with his unique touch of football magic. I feel fortunate enough to be a die hard follower of this legend and hope to remain so for many years to come.
Andres Iniesta is a gift to football, a legendary symbol of what it means to be Blaugrana and living the dream from a very early age. Seeing him lift the 2012 UEFA Best Player award was an incredibly pleasant surprise - Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction, unfortunately, wasn't.
Happy 29th birthday 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) , Don Andrés. May this year be no different and you keep enchanting us with your brilliance!
On a personal note though, Andres Iniesta will always be that young boy from Albacete who turned up for training one day, unaware he was going to light the Blaugrana sky with his unique touch of football magic. I feel fortunate enough to be a die hard follower of this legend and hope to remain so for many years to come.
Andres Iniesta is a gift to football, a legendary symbol of what it means to be Blaugrana and living the dream from a very early age. Seeing him lift the 2012 UEFA Best Player award was an incredibly pleasant surprise - Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction, unfortunately, wasn't.
Happy 29th birthday 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) , Don Andrés. May this year be no different and you keep enchanting us with your brilliance!
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