Andres Iniesta
| Full name | Andrés Iniesta Luján |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Date of birth | May 11, 1984 (1984-05-11) |
| Place of birth | Fuentealbilla, Albacete, Spain |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Nickname | Sweet Iniesta |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Number | 8 |
Andrés Iniesta Luján (born 11 May 1984 in Fuentealbilla, Albacete) is a Spanish attacking midfielder currently playing for FC Barcelona. He currently plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team and is a favourite amongst the Barça fans.
At the age of 12, Iniesta was spotted by Barça scouts at his local club Albacete Balompié. He was switftly signed and worked his way up the club ranks. Louis van Gaal handed him his debut on 29 October, 2002, a UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge KV. He appeared eleven times in the league in 2003-04, mostly as a deputy for Camp Nou favourite Ronaldinho, as Barça sealed second place, scoring once.
In the 2004-05 season Iniesta successfully secured a permanent slot in the first team and figured in 37 of 38 league games - more than any other player. He displayed an unselfish attitude by regularly aiding strikers Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho but was unfortunate in front of goal - denied by the woodwork on several occasions, he found the net just twice.
Iniesta's improvement as a player continued in the 2005-06 and because of the absence of Xavi due to injury, he was given regular starts in midfield. The increased playing time offered to him at the highest level gave him the opportunity to blossom into a superb midfielder. His contribution to the team was praised by Coach Frank Rijkaard. His callup to the Spanish squad for the World Cup came as no surprise to football pundits.
On the 22nd of August, 2006 Andres lifted the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy as the captain of the team after defeating German side Bayern München 4-0.
His current contract with FC Barcelona ends in June of 2010. On July 19th he was linked with a move to rivals Real Madrid. Reports in newspapers suggested Real was prepared to pay 60 million euros for him which would trigger his release clause. However, he reiterated his desire to remain with Barça by saying "I can’t do anything about it but I’d like to insist once again that I want to stay here. When I say I want to retire in Barça, I say it with all my heart."
For the 2007/08 season, Iniesta has been given the number '8' shirt for Barça after it was vacated following Ludovic Giuly's transfer to A.S. Roma.
Iniesta is a versatile player who can play in a variety of midfield roles. He is usually used in a central midfield role - sometimes as a creative midfielder and sometimes as a holding midfielder. He has also played on the right hand side of midfield on occasion. During the match between Barcelona and PFC Levski Sofia in the UEFA Champions League 2006/07, Iniesta was playing the role of a striker instead of midfield and he scored twice in the two games that Barcelona played against them. He was also assigned to cover Steven Gerrard at the right flank, meaning he had to play as left back in the matches against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round in 2007 and performed considerably well.
He has good skill on the ball, great passing and movement all rounded off with a sound footballing brain. His superb passing has unhinged many resolute defences - he played a big part in the first Barça goal against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final of 2006. He also has the ability to win the ball, and is an extremely tidy player who works hard for the team.
Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard describes Iniesta's passing ability as "like watching somebody hand out sweets".
More info on Wikipedia...
23 comments
greetings - kenani siame (zambia) (23 Feb 2017 - 08:12)
hola iniesta i would like to meet you when i come on 17th may 2017. am form country zambia
sports - among (3 Dec 2016 - 08:26)
Good by
Best midfielder - Andrea Swen (1 May 2016 - 09:22)
You are the best n when you play weather win or lost you see the potential of a good midfielder, keep on we love you.
English - male (9 Feb 2016 - 10:32)
I lv andres Iniesta to much because he is always working hard.
my best midfielder - eyomboanobi (22 Jan 2016 - 08:52)
he is the best midfieder in europe in my own cause he played likes is usin magic he control the midfied like there is nobody that can stop him i relly like the system dat is using i love him somuch
auwal becx - yuong iniesta (3 Aug 2015 - 08:10)
I like to see my boss a iniesta in the match becouse I learn Many things from him, he is my best play in the world
Iniesta is very good p5layer espicially his passes and bitting. - ZAHARADDEEN ISAH (13 Jul 2015 - 20:54)
INIESTA IS A GOOD PLAYER BECAUSE HE IS TALLENT AND CREATIVE.
Talented - Valen Adam (2 Feb 2015 - 08:30)
Andrew Inesta is a very creative player,both wit d way he moves wit d ball,his passes,& d work rate is superb.I luv inesta he is my mentor
iniesta - thomas shukla (9 Dec 2014 - 09:30)
brave sweet talented experienced iniesta
iniesta - Aliozor Ebuka Jay (3 Nov 2014 - 08:45)
for me Andres iniesta lujan is that player that do love to make football so easy for is opponent and I love the way he play intact everything about him he is my model
iniesta - Aliozor Ebuka Jay (3 Nov 2014 - 08:45)
for me Andres iniesta lujan is that player that do love to make football so easy for is opponent and I love the way he play intact everything about him he is my model
About Inesta - Charles Marye (21 Oct 2013 - 09:15)
Inesta is a player that does not have a bad day when it comes to football, he is a player that is relax when on the pitch playing. I also love him because of his style of playing, how he approch the ball, his movement on the ball, you now I just love his everything on the ball that's all.
i love him - jallow (8 Jun 2013 - 17:45)
i love him because there isno player on the univers moves or display the balll ike inesta.
Best player - Maxwell Mfon (21 Apr 2013 - 09:15)
I love his move against PHG just at they scoring opportunity, inside they keeper box, its was amazing!!! Without him and messi in our match i feel unhappy
D best I've seen in the world - Oscar diribe (14 Mar 2013 - 10:00)
Iniesta is simply d best. Scores wen u need him most i can neva 4get d 1 1 equalizer against chelsea at stamford bridge i almost jumped down 4rm 5 storey building out of joy. Nearly hitted by a speeding car. He's creative, has footwork, flexible and teamwork is his priority. I love him so much and will wish to play alongside him even if itz on training ground. Though I'm a left footer fondly called sharp left by m@ fwendz. But if GOD could divide sweet iniesta's sense of football into 3 places nd give me 1 I'll be d happiest on earth. More grease to ur elbows. I love u nd i compliment ur help in our qualification against Milan u guys made my mockers mouth to be shut just bring it home to nou camp we believe u we believe barca. I'll support Barcelona till i die
about iniesta - george (27 Feb 2013 - 08:30)
sweet iniesta u are m best.and l say more kudos 2u.am a nigerians
support - amaar (31 Jan 2013 - 08:45)
iniesta is the best he is better then messi and cr 7 he always makes 100% . Wonderfull tichnics
i love iniester - samuel (29 Oct 2012 - 18:15)
iniester is my role model
The award - OKEYSON (1 Sep 2012 - 08:30)
Guy u are just the best.the award just started,there are alot to come.CONGRATULATIONS!
Play safe - Jerry (7 Feb 2012 - 17:00)
Sm wckd people want to c iniesta's down fal:D God pass dem
Andres Iniesta - O'shanghnessy Christophe (20 Jan 2012 - 21:45)
Pour moi, Andres Iniesta est l'un des joueurs les plus important avec Xavi et Messi. Quand il ne joue pas le FC Barcelone a plus de mal à imposer son jeu et manque un peu de percussion en attaque. Je suis un vrai fan du Barça et de Andres Iniesta. Mon souhait est de venir voir le Barça au Camp Nou.
love - i y (27 Nov 2011 - 09:15)
is there a better midfeild player? I can bet my life for him. I love boy!
I love him madly - Administrator User (29 Oct 2011 - 20:01)
He's my best player. I would cut my hand for him. Go go go !
Next match bla bl bnlablb.