BARCELONA PHILOSOPHY MUST SURVIVE – INIESTA

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has reiterated that playing interesting and flowing football remains just as important as winning for the Catalan club.

Barcelona have been an advocate of attractive football throughout their storied history, boosting the calibre of players like Johan Cruyff, Romario, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi who excelled in delighting fans and neutrals along the way.

The possession-based football that was cultivated under the guidance of Johan Cyruff and further established by Pep Guardiola was a fascinating scene that won both managers titles and fans during their respective spells in the dugout at Barcelona

The Blaugrana has been recently accused of deviating from their usual tiki-taka under current boss Luis Enrique, but Iniesta is adamant their philosophy remain intact on Thursday.

The Spanish playmaker told Esport 3 that the team would continue to believe in the Barcelona well-known football philosophy.  

“It is not enough to just win but how you do it, and how often you do it. It is not winning in any way possible. The Barcelona philosophy has to be there and survive,” Iniesta stated.

Iniesta, who turns 33 later this season, has established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders for some years and says he has no plan to quit football soon as he continues to enjoy himself and remain ever prolific on the pitch. “The passing of time has changed me,” he added.

Iniesta corroborates the fact that age reflects on a footballer’s performance. He said: “The 22-year-old Iniesta is not the same as the 26-year-old, or the 30-year-old or the 32-year-old. It is an evolution and I think it is a good thing.

“I have always felt I was an outstanding player. I am enjoying my football. Sometimes with the passing of time, you enjoy it less and less but, for me, it is the opposite.”