Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is a Spanish born midfielder who currently plays for FC Barcelona and has represented the Spanish national team at various levels. He was born on May 11, 1984 and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. The versatility of the players also makes him an ideal candidate to play on the wings or in the central midfield position. Him along with Xavi Hernandez dominate the Barcelona midfielder and have been responsible for the most successful era in the club’s history.
Andres Iniesta first broke through into the first team back in 2002 and it did not take long for him to establish himself in the first team. By the 2004-2005 season, Iniesta was a regular fixture in the Barcelona team that was managed by Frank Rijkaard. However, he was constantly overshadowed by the brilliance of Ronaldinho, but once the Brazilian left the club, it was Iniesta’s time to enter into the spotlight. He grabbed the chance beautifully and has been responsible for the domination of Barcelona in various competitions around the globe since then.
His pace and skill have let Barcelona to becoming the first side to win six trophies in a single year, which also included a Champions League trophy as well. Andres Iniesta also has managed to outshine every single central midfield player on the international stage as well. He first made his international debut in the Spanish youth team, but made it into the first-team in 2006. Since then, he has been part of one of the most successful Spanish team in the history. Not only has he won every single trophy there is to win domestically, but also every international trophy as well.
This includes a World Cup, which he won in 2010 by scoring the goal that separated his side from Holland in the final. The trophy cabinet also includes a European Championship title, which was won in 2008. This is in addition to the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship in 2002 and UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in 2001. So far, he has won five Spanish league titles, one Spanish cup, four Spanish Super cup, one UEFA super cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, and three UEFA Champions League titles.
He has also been individually awarded various trophies, which includes the place in the Euro 2008 Team of the tournament, FIFPro World XI in 2009 and 2010, UEFA Team of the Year in 2009 and 2010, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 2010, and La Liga’s Best Attacking Midfielder in 2009.
His also one of the few players in the world to have represented only one club side during his career, although aged only 27, Iniesta could still move to other clubs and will not be finding any shortage of takers. So far, Iniesta has represented the Barcelona B team in 54 appearances, while the first team appearances are just short of 250. He has made 58 appearances for the Spanish national team and has scored nine goals.