Born: 11/5/1984
Nationality: Spanish
Club: FC Barcelona
Andres Iniesta has climbed the ranks at Barcelona, and now is a first team regular and regarded as one of the best players in the world. Iniesta plays in the centre of midfielder but because of his adaptable qualities can play on the wing too, on either side. As a fan of watching pure slick football, I admire Iniesta so much, and watching him play is as fascnicating as watching the likes of Messi and Ronaldo play. Iniesta’s vision, close ball control, dribbling ability and passing is for all to see and no one in the world creates and scores as much goals as he does, well, certainly no one outside of Barcelona.
Funnily enough, Iniesta started as a defensive midfielder, but sooner rather than later his attacking ability was to be seen and pushed further forward. It was hard for him to get in the team at a younger age, due to the prominence of Ronaldinho, Eto’o, and Deco. In particular Deco, but Iniesta replaced him as soon as he left, and Iniesta has gone from strength to strength since then.
He has scored some vital goals in his career at Barcelona, as well as some great goals, where you just have to stand up and applaud. His goal against Racing Santander at the beginning of the 2010/2011 season where he struck and controlled a volley from 30 yards into the corner of the net leaving the keeper with no chance. His most vital goal in Barcelona colours was his strike against Chelsea in the 2008/2009 season, Champions League semi final second leg. With Barcelona down to 10 men, and heading out of the competition, Barcelona’s only real chance was taken from Iniesta as he struck the ball past Petr Cech to take Barcelona to the final, which they eventually won. He famous goal, and probably will never be topped is he goal for Spain against Holland in the 2010 World Cup final. It was a well executed finish which brought Spain their first ever World Cup success.
He is often credited as man of the match for Barcelona, and usually in the big games against the likes of Real Madrid, and also in the Champions League against Arsenal and Manchester United he has made standout performances, using his trickery and creativy to cause all kinds of problems for the opponents defence. Iniesta is 27 years old and has plenty more years left in him, and I love watching him play, and I hope he continues this great form as he’ll soon be ranked as one of the most gifted players ever.