Iniesta
Flickr photo by L0bit0 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND 2.0) license.

All you need to know about Andreś ‘Don’ Iniesta

Maarij Farooqi·
Barcelona
·0 Comments·

Everything there is to know about the ‘Don’ and how he earned that name…

He’s a typical FC Barcelona player who has yet to wear the jersey of any other club in the world. And while he gives his farewell performance tomorrow, 20th May 2018, here are some tremendous facts that may seem a little surreal until you realise how much the man has truly achieved. Alongside that, we’ll take a look at what the football greats have to say about him as everyone – rival or not – just loves ‘Don Andreś’ Iniesta.

Nicknames

Not a lot of players have been lucky enough to step foot on the green fields where professional football is played, and even fewer have been given as many nicknames as Iniesta. The following are arguably the most used of the lot:

El Illusionista (The Illusionist)

It’s no secret that Inesta has been the master of Barça’s midfield for more than a decade. Scoring goals, creating chances, and playing a vital role in Messi being the best in the world formed the basis of his most notable achievements. The telepathic communication with his old pal Xavi Hernandez was another one of the maestro’s mind-boggling offerings to the footballing world. However, the Spaniard was never really limited to one position. Sometimes, he was used by his manager on the wing – and on other occassions, he pulled back and allowed Xavi to feed forwards like Messi, Eto’o, and Villa. His flexibility earned him this name and it would be foolish to argue against its accuracy.

El Cerebro (The Brain)

If there’s an art which Iniesta is not a stranger to, it’s playmaking – having notched 108 assists during his career. This number is magnificent in context of his role as he’s clearly contributed an immense amount to Barça’s winning record. Given the club’s current standing as one of the best teams in the world, this record further illustrates how much silverware has been won since Iniesta’s debut in 2002. Many people wonder how he does it while being under the skin of a man with looks so decent one could mistake him for a chartered accountant. The only difference being that his brain works only in numbers related to the pitch and favourable to his team.

Spain

Iniesta was booked in the final of the 2010 World Cup. It wasn’t the foul that he committed, but because he ripped off his navy blue national team jersey right after killing the World Cup dreams of thousands of Dutch fans and reviving just as many hearts in Spain. By striking the shot of a lifetime, he put the ball in the back of the net late into extra-time, securing the victory and the prestigious honour for his country. The scenes will likely be remembered for decades to come.

To add to his illustrious career, and cement his national team among the all-time greatest in the history of football, Andreś Iniesta played his heart out in every game of EURO 2008 and was selected in the Team of the Tournament. Moreover, an example of his impeccable development includes him becoming the Player of the Tournament and playing a vital role in leading Spain to another European Championship victory in 2012.

Barcelona

After showing utter dedication and intense skills that rendered the boss and Iniesta’s childhood idol – Pep Guardiola – more than impressed, he rose through the ranks to make his debut in the first-team in 2002. The rest is history, with his name plastered all over it.

Apart from his joint-record of four Champions League titles, he has also lifted the La Liga trophy eight times. Six Copa del Rey victories and three FIFA Club World Cup titles are also present in his extremely decorated trophy cabinet. He was chosen as the best player of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League, while being in the Team of the Year six times – the highest number of selections for a midfielder.

Notable footballing figures on Iniesta:

“He does everything well, with simplicity. At times, it may look like he’s not doing anything, but in fact he’s doing it all. Everything is different with Andrés. The hardest thing to do in football is to make it look like everything is easy, effortless, and that’s Andrés.”
Lionel Messi, Barcelona forward.

“Over the last 20 years I can’t remember players as good or complete as Iniesta. It’s incredible, he never messes up play, he’s the most complete in the world. Maybe he misplaces just one pass in the whole game.”
Dino Baggio, former Italy midfielder.

“He’s the best midfielder I’ve ever seen play. For his quality, for everything. For being a good guy, for being a legend, he doesn’t need a Ballon d’Or. He’s incomparable because he’s very different. He has an elegance and incredible class that makes him different to everyone else.”
Neymar, former Barcelona teammate.

“He’s the absolute business as a player. He never talks about himself, never demands anything, but people who think he’s satisfied just to play are wrong.”
Josep Guardiola, former Barcelona coach.

“I don’t think Xavi [Hernández] and Iniesta have ever given the ball away in their lives. They get you on that carousel and they can leave you dizzy.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager.

“From 2004 until now, Iniesta has been the most important player we have had because he has been in every coach’s project since [Frank] Rijkaard.”
Josep María Bartomeu, Barcelona president.

Since it’s clear that there’s nobody in the business would have a contrary view over Iniesta’s legacy – he is going to be missed dearly. His fans will cry a river tomorrow; his teammates will never see football the same way again; and his club will continue making failed attempts to fill the gigantic gap he will leave behind after his departure.