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Player Profile: Andrés Iniesta

Name: Andrés Iniesta Luján

Date of birth: 11/05/1984

Nationality: Spanish

Number: 8

Background: As a kid Iniesta was one of the most acclaimed young footballers in Spain. Many youth academies had made approaches to sign the star but Barcelona's La Masia were quick to act upon, youth team coach, Enrique Orizola's friendship with the Iniesta family. After a visit to the farmhouse, Iniesta was convinced and set about the daunting task of leaving his family to head for Barcelona. Iniesta is a fine example of the excellent work at La Masia. He immediately  began to impress the coaches, especially when he won his first piece of silverware, captaining the winning side in the 1999 Nike Premier Cup. A success that saw him win the Player of the Tournament award.

Inspired by his hero Pep Guardiola, Iniesta earned his first team place in 2002 under manager Louis van Gaal.  His debut came against Club Brugge in an Champions League clash.  Barcelona, having already progressed through the group stage, won the game 1-0.

Iniesta was given a run in the first team side in the 2004-05 campaign. Mostly coming on as a substitute, Iniesta racked up 37 league appearances out of a possible 38. After fellow Spaniard Xavi Hernandez was ruled out for the start of the season with a torn ligament in his left knee, Iniesta was granted a regular starting place in his preferred position of centre midfield.  As Barcelona fought their way to a league and Champions League double, Iniesta was praised by new boss, Frank Rijkaard for his impressive performances. Iniesta even got the chance to play in his first Champions League final coming on as a 46th minute substitute for Edmílson. 


During the 2006-07 season Iniesta was played in a number of different positions and roles by Rijkaard. This earned Iniesta many fans and plaudits for his versatility. This was also Iniesta's most prolific season and to date remains his top scoring season.


The 2007-08 season began with uncertainty as Barça's fierce rivals were reportedly readying a €60 million bid for the Spaniard. This would be enough to activate the buy-out clause in Iniesta's contract. The reports were being run by Madrid based paper "Marca." A paper famous for helping Real Madrid unsettle other players for Madrid's advantage. Iniesta acted quickly and quashed the rumours by signing a new contract with Barcelona, raising his buy-out clause to €150 million. Iniesta also responded by saying "I want to stay here. When I say I want to retire in Barça, I say it with all my heart. And my wishes are above everything else."

After another impressive year, Iniesta earned himself a spot in the running for the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award. He was eventually beaten by Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo but finished in the top ten at ninth.

When Guardiola arrived at the club he brought with him the tika-taka style of play and this suited players such as Iniesta and Xavi who had first learnt this playing style during their time at La Masia.

Iniesta was awarded for his loyalty and continued success at the club by being named fourth choice captain, behind other La Masia products Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandex and Victor Valdés. Unfortunately Iniesta's season hit a road block in November 2008 when he was ruled out for six weeks with a leg injury. Six weeks passed and Guardiola was unwilling to risk further injury by bringing Iniesta back too quickly. Iniesta picked up where he left off though, coming on a substitute to score the winning goal aganist RCD Mallorca on the 3rd January 2009. 

But his dramatic late goals didn't end there, he grabbed the equalising goal in the Champions League semi final against Chelsea to tie the game at 1-1. A result good enough to send Barça through to the Champions League final where an in form Manchester United side awaited. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had high words for Iniesta quoted as saying "I'm not obsessed with Messi, Iniesta is the danger. He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible. He's so important for Barcelona."

Barcelona were determined to win as a victory would see them become the first ever Spanish side to with the treble. They fought off the freshly crowned Premier League champions and won 2-0 courtesy of Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi.  Even though his name didn't feature on the score sheet, it did all over the next day's papers. Many praised Iniesta's role in the final, no more then Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney who declared Iniesta as the best player in the world.

After flaring up a thigh injury in the final, Iniesta missed the pre-season for the 2009-10 season and was hampered by recurrent injuries throughout the season.  Meaning his number of games started dropped to 20. Nevertheless Barcelona clinched the title and Iniesta celebrated by signing a new contract which again saw his buy-out clause raised, this time to €200 million.

Halted by an injury, Iniesta has only played 10 league games this season scoring none but assisting four times. But fans can take solace in the fact he scored the opening goal in the second leg of the Supercopa de España aganist bitter rivals Real Madrid. A goal which sent Barça on course for the title.




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