The unsung and reluctant hero: Spain and FC Barcelona Midfielder Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta’s goal in the dying minutes of extra time (in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands) was not only a once in a lifetime moment for the Spaniard, but also the greatest and most historical moment in Spanish football. As Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta controlled Cesc Fabregas' pinpoint pass in the 116th minute of the World Cup final, Spain's destiny was sealed through one of most unconventional superstars of the modern era. One sharp sweep of his right foot and Iniesta, for so long the quiet prince of Spanish football, was suddenly its king.
Iniesta has so far been shadowed by his illustrious teammates in Nou Camp as well as in the national team. But it was that one moment in Soccer City, Johannesburg, which took the reluctant and introvert boy from Fuentealbilla to the throne of the football world. That moment was just the epitome of Barcelona’s creative midfielder’s career-long struggle which saw many ups and downs.
Introvert and shy as a youngster, Iniesta joined Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, when he was 12 years old. La Masia, famous for producing talented players, realized that they had special talent on their hands. At the age of 16, he was invited to train with senior members when he caught the attention of his childhood idol Pep Guardiola. Guardiola, who is the current coach of Catalans, told his midfield colleague Xavi when he saw Iniesta: "You're going to retire me.”
Iniesta made his senior team debut under Coach Louis Van Gaal in 2002. He struggled to establish himself in the starting line-up under successive regimes, due to a plethora of talent at the disposal of the Catalans. He was left out of the starting XI for the Champions League final against Arsenal in 2006. Apparently it seemed as though Iniesta would be used only in bits in his career. However, with the passage of time, he became indispensable for his club. He reached his peak under Guardiola, who took Barcelona on the summit of football glory. Playing in a midfield of three alongside Yaya Toure and Xavi, Iniesta was responsible for dictating the pace of the game. It wasn't just that he could move the ball around with the precise accuracy and verve of Xavi, it was also his lightning-quick feet and ability to dribble which made him similar to his other teammate Lionel Messi.
His Barcelona teammates were aware of Iniesta’s talents from the beginning. Regarding him, Xavi once said, “Iniesta is easily Spain's most complete player. He has everything. Well, nearly everything - he needs media backing.” Similarly, ex-Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o added, “Iniesta is the best player in the world, whenever he's on the pitch he creates a spectacle.”
Iniesta was clinical and self-assured as Spain took the Euro Championship title in 2008. However, his defining moment was his last minute goal at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal, which led Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to claim that "Xavi and Iniesta get you on this carousel." Iniesta displayed master-class performance as Barcelona ousted Manchester United to lift their third European title. After the defeat, Wayne Rooney told his teammates in the dressing room that they had just been defeated by world’s best player. He was referring to none other than the brilliance of Iniesta.
In a brutally physical game of football in Johannesburg, Iniesta was made painfully aware of the intentions of the Dutch side as Netherlands’ holding midfielder Van Bommel clattered into him from behind early on to pick up a booking. However, Iniesta played with his self-belief and was resolute as he saved Spanish fans from the agony of a penalty shoot-out. In extra-time, it was Iniesta who found Fabregas’ pin-point pass as he got past defenders to take a shot which changed the course of history for Spanish football. It was one moment which made the reluctant and unsung Iniesta into the heartthrob of millions of football fans.
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