Andrès Iniesta Luján popularly known as Iniesta 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. He hails from Fuentealbilla, Spain and was born on 11 may, 1984(34 years). He is 1.71m (5 ft 7in) tall.
Iniesta’s light shined through la masia, the Barcelona youth academy after an early migration from his birth place. He made an unquestionable performance and impressed many from an early age, making his first team debut at age 18 in 2002. He began playing regularly during the 2004-2005 season and remained in the team until 2018. Iniesta was indeed an integral part of the Barcelona team that won two historic trebles in 2009 and 2015, and his 33 trophies, which includes nine La Liga’s and four UEFA champions league titles. He is the most decorated Spanish footballer of all time.
Before making his international debut in 2006, Iniesta played for Spain at the under -16, under -19 and under 21 levels. He helped Spain win the EURO 2008, playing every game and being selected in the team of tournament. Andrès was also a key member of the victorious Spanish team at the 2010 world cup; he scored the winning goal in the final against Netherlands, for which he was named man of the match and was selected to the tournaments All- star team. At EURO 2012, Iniesta led Spain to their second consecutive continental crown, again being the man of the match of the final game against Italy and was named player of the tournament.
With his remarkable and unbridled performances, Iniesta is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generations and one of the greatest midfielder of all time. In 2001-2003, he made 54 appearances and scored 5 goals for Barcelona b; 2002-2018, he made 442 appearances and 35 goals for Barcelona; 2018, he made 14 appearances and 3 goals for vissel kobe. Since 2009, he has been named in the FIFA world XI nine times and was chosen in the UEFA Team of the year on six occasions. Iniesta won the UEFA best player in Europe Award in 2012 and was named the IFFHS world’s best playmaker in 2012 and 2013. He was runner up to Lionel Messi for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or and achieved third place in 2012.
DID YOU KNOW?
1)In the 2004-2005 season, Iniesta featured in 37 out of 38 league games, more than any other player. Although, 25 of these were substitutes appearances.
2)At the age of 12, while playing for Albacete Balomplé in in a junior seven -a- side tournaments in Albacete, he attracted the attention of scouts from clubs and Spain.
3)In 2006-2007 season, Iniesta’s profile rose and he earned approbation for his willingness to play in any position for his team and in the pre-season, he lifted the Joan Gamper Trophy as the captain of the team after a 4-0 victory over German side Bayern Munich.
ii)He played first as a left wing forward for Barça in two champions league matches against Levski Sofia, finding the net twice and in the knockout stage of the same competition, he played in central midfield against Liverpool. Despite being moved around the pitch by manager Rijkaard, the 2006-2007 season remains Iniesta’s highest scoring thus far.
4)Despite sustaining a leg injury in November 2008, Iniesta was sidelined until January 3rd. He was initially expected to return to action in six weeks but he didn’t until he was 100% okay. Upon his return to action, as a 65th minute substitute against Mallorca, he scored a crucial goal after just 10 minutes on the pitch and completed a Barcelona comeback in front of the camp Nou.
5) Iniesta scored a virtual equalizer in the final minute of stoppage time during the second leg of the champions league semi- final against Chelsea with a curling strike with the outside of his right foot 25 yards from goal, securing the tie on away goals as the match finished 1-1.
6) His goal against Chelsea that sent Barcelona through to the final in Rome against defending champions then, Manchester united, Alex Ferguson, the then manager of united identified Iniesta as Barça’s biggest threat.
7) Iniesta is married to Anna Ortiz; the couple began dating in 2008 and wed on 8th July 2012. They sadly lost an unborn child due to miscarriage in March 2014 and now have three children (Valeria, Siena, Paolo Andrea)
- II) Iniesta is catholic.
8) Iniesta has a net worth of $90 million and earns $30 million per annum.
9) In the 2010-2011 season, he scored an impeccable first goal during the opening league fixture against racing de Santandar, lobbing the ball into the net from a distance of 30 yards.
10) Andrés Iniesta throughout the 2010-2011 campaign, received standing ovations from opposition fans including at El Sardinero and the Vicente Calderón stadium in appreciation of his world cup winning goal.
11) During the first classic of the 2015-2016 season, on 21st November, Iniesta became only the third Barcelona player, after Diego Maradona in 1983 and Ronaldinho in 2005, to receive an applause from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. His man of the man match performance included a goal and an assist, contributing to a resounding 4-0 victory.
12) On 20th May 2018, despite signing a lifetime contract with Barcelona, Iniesta made his 674th and final appearance for Barcelona in the final league match of the season with 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad as Barcelona celebrated the victory of their 25th league and 30thCopa del Rey title; he came off in the 81st minute for Paco Alcácer.