Andres Iniesta, player profile (Part 1)
Being a part of the first team of the Spanish La Liga Champions, Barcelona, is a big task that a player like Andres Iniesta could achieve easily. Back in 2002, Iniesta was the player who made a break-through in Barcelona’s first team and the Catalan giants had an “amazing” addition in the midfield. Iniesta is the player who demonstrated last season that he is above many other football players and he is definitely a “professional”.
The “selfless” player has shown the World how a “real team” is made as he came out as a team player time and time again. Even though, Iniesta has come out with flying colours at many occasions, all that matters to him is that his team, Barcelona, should win the match. The perfect example of this is that during the Champions League 2009’s final match, Andres Iniesta knew that he is injured and by going onto the field he is going to risk his thigh. He still didn’t care about his conditions but rather for the team’s good. He went on the ground, sacrificing himself, and performed for the Spanish side so that they can win the match and bring the title home.
Iniesta is not only an “out of the world” player in fact he is also very humble when it comes down to playing football. When his “new contract” was to be signed by him last season, the 25-year old told the Catalan team that it was a pleasure playing for the team and he wouldn’t even ask for a penny as it’s just like a “dream come true” for him. The Spanish player has always been a part of Barcelona and always wanted to play in the first team of the Spanish club.
The injury that the Spanish midfielder sustained during the final match of the UEFA Champions League against the English club, Manchester United, did not come without consequences. The dynamic midfielder was ruled out of the Confederations Cup, in which the Spanish side was eliminated in the semi finals. Not only did he miss the Confederations Cup, he also managed to rest the whole pre-season with the club and was unable to train with his team mates. His club coach, Pep Guardiola, made sure that Iniesta’s thigh injury wasn’t risked and waited for him to return to full fitness. Due to the “gap” that Guaridiola decided to give him, Andres Iniesta was unable to perform for his club and didn’t feature for a full-time 90 minutes game until late October. However, the decision of putting him on as a full time player was a good option for Iniesta and Guardiola, as the player was able to make it to the Spanish squad. He became a part of Spain’s first team in the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
That thigh injury wasn’t totally gone as everyone could see that the performance of the “dynamic” Spanish midfielder was affected by it. Even though the injury kept nudging Iniesta, he struggled and worked hard to keep up with the team. Thanks to his determination, he was able to set his own high standards.
By December, Iniesta, along with Barcelona, was able to get his hands on six trophies as Barcelona grabbed the sixth trophy of the season after the Christmas break. Iniesta proved to be of high value for the Spanish club. He was the player, who was able to put together 7 Primera Liga trophies out of only eight outings, while the rival club Real Madrid were lagging behind the Catalan giants in the race for honours.
The Feuntealbilla home grown player was troubled by his injuries throughout the season. When he finally started featuring for Barcelona in October, the latter half of the season was ruined by the same thigh injury. Even though he did not feel fit enough to feature for his club, he still managed 42 appearances in all competitions while Barcelona were busy defending their league title. Last season, Iniesta was able to contribute to the club with 8 vital assists and managed to bag himself one goal. However, it is not how much he contributed with “goal scoring” or “assists” it was far beyond that. It was basically his selfless devotion and his personal woes towards the club that makes him a player who stands out compared to all other players.
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