On the 7th of October 2024, Andres Iniesta decided to retire from professional football. Considered one of Spain’s most legendary footballers, Iniesta decided to retire at age 40 after 22 years of professional football. Iniesta will continue to be linked to football; he has recently started a coaching course, following the steps of fellow teammate and ex Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández. Due to several reasons, I personally believe that Iniesta is the greatest football player in Spain’s history.
His Childhood:
Andrés Iniesta was born on May 11th, 1984, in Fuentealbilla, Albacete. He began to playorganised football with his local football club, Albacete Balompié, at age 8. At age 11 he stood outin the famous football tournament “Brunete”, where other football stars such as Xavi and Fernando Torres once stood out. This excellent performance gained him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize and a call from Barcelona’s academy (La Masía). Andrés was rather hesitant of leaving his hometown at such a young age, his mother was also hesitant of allowing Andrés to leave 500km away from Albacete while his father encouraged him to face such a challenge. Further encouragement from La Masía coaches finally led to Iniesta taking the decision to join Barcelona’s academy, despite being a great Real Madrid fan.
As a result, on the 17th of September 1996 Andrés spent his first night at La Masía. As expected by his young age, the first few days were very tough for him as he felt very homesick, he cried for days and days. After the initial setbacks, Iniesta began to play football at an amazing level. Iniesta then won the Nike Cup in 1999, where Pep Guardiola (his future coach) told Xavi: “you will retire me, but Iniesta will retire us both”. A mere 3 years later, Iniesta had his professional debut with Barça, at age 18 under Dutch Manager Van Gaal and the rest is history.
Why is Andrés Iniesta such an inspiring figure?
Iniesta’s 40 titles are not the main reason why I find Iniesta inspiring or the reason I consider him as the best footballer in Spain’s history. Iniesta’s humble beginnings as part of a lower-class family in a village of less than 2,000 inhabitants shaped his career entirely. Iniesta’s origins prove that no matter your situation, if you are committed, you will reach your goals. Iniesta’s bravery is truly remarkable, he left his hometown for Barça’s academy at the age of 12. The list of unsuccessful young talents is never ending; Iniesta not only reached professional football, but he also managed to shape football history by being key in the popularisation “tiki-taka” style of play, in turn making football boring according to some. Iniesta also broke many of football’s unspoken rules: Iniesta received an ovation by Real Madrid fans (Barça’s biggest rival) in 2015, proving that he was simply a different player. Iniesta was a key figure of Spain’s golden generation (2008-2012) that coincided with a time of particular economic hardship in Spain; at least, Iniesta managed to cheer up Spanish society with his great football.
Iniesta’s contributions to football are not only present on the pitch, but Iniesta also saved his childhood club, Albacete Balompié, by contributing over 1 million euros without a return. Nevertheless, the main reason that I find Iniesta inspiring is because he overcame a depression caused by the death of his beloved friend and footballer, Dani Jarque in 2009. This depression left him on the sidelines for a substantial part of the 2009/2010 season challenging his presence in the 2010 World Cup. Iniesta was finally able to compete, and he paid tribute to Dani in his famous World Cup winning goal, as when he removed his shirt an undershirt with the words “Dani Jarque always with us” became visible. Furthermore, Andrés has now spoken openly about his depression to make it visible. All in all, Iniesta’s contributions to society inside or outside football, make him the best footballer in Spain’s history.
His early career:
In the 2004 season, Andrés finally became an active member of the first team squad. His playing time increased exponentially and under great form, Iniesta helped Barça to obtain a “doblete” (La Liga and Champions League) in 2006. His great form caused him to get a call up by the Spanish National Team, ahead of the 2006 World Cup. Despite the elimination of Spain in the round of 16, Iniesta managed to become a prevalent figure under manager Luis Aragones. This great form carried across the 2008 Eurocup, where Iniesta started all matches and helped Spain lift its first European trophy since 1964. Spain managed to achieve this great feat under a new revolutionary style of play named “tiki-taka”.
Tiki-Taka Style under Pep Guardiola:
Arguably, Iniesta’s biggest career change came in the summer of 2008, when Pep Guardiola (former Barça legend) became Barcelona’s manager. Pep started a revolution in all senses: Pep perfectionated the new “tiki-taka” style of play (consisting of maintaining possession via quick short passes between players) and forced 2 of the club’s biggest stars (Ronaldinho and Deco) out of the team, giving more protagonism to Barça’s academy players. Iniesta suited this new style, as his amazing ball control ability allowed him to maintain possession despite his low stature. Iniesta, along with Xavi and Busquets, became the reference of the “tiki-taka” style of play for club and country, leading to win many titles. In fact, Barcelona managed to complete its first treble in club history in Pep’s first season; Iniesta continues to be remembered for his last minute goal against Chelsea that allowed Barça to reach the Champions League final that season.
Despite Pep Guardiola’s departure in 2012, Barça continued to embrace the “tiki-taka” style with great success, obtaining another treble in 2015 under Luis Enrique’s leadership. At the age of 34, Iniesta decided to leave Barça after winning the outstanding total of 32 titles with them (including 9 La Ligas and 4 Champions Leagues). Fortunately, Iniesta had a dream farewell: Iniesta’s last match for Barça was a 5-0 win against Sevilla in the 2018 Copa del Rey final.
Spain’s golden era:
Furthermore, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was Iniesta’s career highlight. Embracing the “tiki-taka” style, Del Bosque’s side reached the World Cup final against the Netherlands. The most important football match in Spain’s history ended in a goalless draw after the first 90 minutes; when the match seemed to be heading for the penalties, Iniesta scored a 116-minute winner to give Spain’s first World Cup. This goal instantly made Iniesta a national hero, receiving standing ovations across all stadiums the following season. This spectacular performance allowed him to place 2nd in the 2010 Ballon d’Or rankings and many believed he should have won it. Iniesta’s great form with the national team carried across the 2012 Eurocup, which Spain won by humiliating Italy 4-0 in the final, causing him to be named Europe’s best player in 2012.
The twilight of his career:
In the summer of 2018, Iniesta moved to Vissel Kobe in Japan, with the goal of popularising the Japanese football league. At around this time, Iniesta played his last World Cup with Spain, ending with a defeat in the round of 16. In Japan, Iniesta perceived a salary of $30M (USD) per year, becoming one of the world’s highest paid footballers, but allowing Vissel Kobe to win its first league title in history. Surprisingly, Iniesta left to Emirates Club in UAE at age 39.
At this age, Iniesta was less popular after spending 5 years away from European football, and a lot of people thought that he was already retired. When his transfer news came out, many people referred to this famous quote “leave the football before the football leaves you”. The harsh truth was that Iniesta was no longer playing at his past level, which became evident when Iniesta faced the first relegation of his career playing for Emirates FC. After this relegation, Iniesta left Emirates FC and many hoped that he would still play for his childhood club, Albacete, but he decided to put an end to his career. Iniesta’s last uneventful years have still not spoiled his great career. Iniesta retired at age 40 with 40 titles, the 3rd footballer with the most titles ever.
By: Nicolas Izuzkiza in Year 12
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