Andrés Iniesta Luján (Spanish pronunciation:[anˈdɾesiˈnjestaluˈxan]; born 11 May 1984) is a Spanish former professionalfootballer who played as amidfielder and spent most of his career atLa Liga clubBarcelona. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time,[6] he was lauded for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, and flair on the ball.
Iniesta started his professional career throughLa Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, after an earlymigration from his birthplace, and impressed from an early age. He made his first-team debut aged 18 in 2002. He began playing regularly during the2004–05 season and remained in the team until 2018. Iniesta's 35 trophies, which include nineLa Ligas and fourUEFA Champions League titles, make him the most decorated Spanish footballer of all time.[7] With the initial management guidance byPep Guardiola and using thetiki-taka football philosophy, Iniesta was part of a widely lauded midfield combination trio withXavi andSergio Busquets; from 2008 to 2015 the trio together were instrumental in FC Barcelona's exceptional on-field successes in 7 seasons, winning five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles, three UEFA Champions League titles and the continentaltreble (all three titles simultaneously) twice, in2008–09 and2014–15.[8][9][10][11] After 22 years at Barcelona, Iniesta signed forJ1 League club Vissel Kobe in 2018. After leaving the club in 2023, he signed forUAE Pro League clubEmirates, eventually retiring in October 2024.
Iniesta played for Spain at the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before making his international debut in 2006. He helped Spain winUEFA Euro 2008, playing every game and being selected in theTeam of the Tournament. Iniesta was also a key member of the victorious Spanish team at the2010 FIFA World Cup; he scored the winning goal in thefinal against theNetherlands, for which he was named theMan of the Match, and was selected to the tournament'sAll-Star Team. His performances in 2010 for both club and country saw him being runner-up toLionel Messi for the2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or. AtUEFA Euro 2012, Iniesta led Spain to their second consecutive continental crown, again being chosen as the Man of the Match of thefinal againstItaly, and was named the Player of the Tournament.
Iniesta comes fromFuentealbilla, a small village in theprovince of Albacete,Castile–La Mancha, where he mostly playedfutsal due to the lack of football pitches in the village.[12] At the age of 12, while playing forAlbacete Balompié in a junior seven-a-side tournament inAlbacete, he attracted the attention of scouts from clubs around Spain.[13] His parents knewBarcelona's youth team coach,Enrique Orizaola, and he persuaded them to consider sending Iniesta to the Barcelona youth academy. Iniesta traveled there with his parents and visitedLa Masia, the farmhouse where the club houses its young players; the trip convinced them to enroll Iniesta in the Barcelona youth ranks.[14]
"Receive, pass, offer, receive, pass, offer."
—Iniesta onLa Masia education of ball retention, passing and using space[15]
Iniesta says he "cried rivers" the day he left forLa Masia and struggled being separated from his parents;[16] he was very shy and kept to himself while there.[17] He captained the Barcelona Under-15 team to victory in theNike Premier Cup of 1999, scoring the winning goal in the last minute of the final, and was named player of the tournament. Just after Iniesta arrived at the club, then-captainPep Guardiola famously told fellow midfielderXavi: "You're going to retire me. This lad [Iniesta] is going to retire us all."[18]
Iniesta joined the first team during the tenure ofRadomir Antić. On 29 October 2002, he made his first team debut in a 1–0 away win againstClub Brugge in theUEFA Champions League group stage. In the2004–05 season, he featured in 37 out of 38 league games—more than any other player—although 25 of these were substitute appearances. He scored twice as Barcelona won La Liga.[19] An injury to Xavi at the start of the2005–06 season allowed Iniesta more regular starts in the centre of midfield, and he continued to improve and develop.[20] He played in 11UEFA Champions League games, including a half-time appearance in the2006 final, to replaceEdmílson.[21] His contribution to the team was praised by managerFrank Rijkaard as Barcelona won a league and Champions Leaguedouble.[22]
The2006–07 season saw Iniesta's profile continue to rise and he earned plaudits for his willingness to play in any position for his team. In the pre-season, he lifted theJoan Gamper Trophy as the captain of the team after a 4–0 victory over German sideBayern Munich. Iniesta played for the first time as a left wing-forward for Barça in twoChampions League matches againstLevski Sofia, finding the net twice. In the first knockout stage of the same competition, he played in central midfield againstLiverpool. Despite being moved around the pitch by manager Rijkaard, the 2006–07 season remains Iniesta's highest scoring season.
With the departure ofLudovic Giuly ahead of the2007–08 campaign, Iniesta was able to switch his number 24 shirt for his preferred number 8.[23] Despite rumours of a possible transfer before the season,[24] he extended his contract to 2014 on 25 January 2008,[25] with his buy-out clause being raised to €150 million.[26]Don Balón, a member ofEuropean Sports Magazines, named Iniesta one of the most consistent performers in the previous two seasons ofLa Liga; he placed fifth in 2006–07 and fourth in 2007–08.[27][28] He also placed ninth in the2008 FIFA World Player of the Year voting, gaining 37 total points.[29]
At the start of the2008–09 season, in September 2008, Iniesta was elected the fourth-choice captain behind, in order of preference,Carles Puyol, Xavi andVíctor Valdés; all four were products of the Barcelona youth system.[30] His performances throughout the season were highly lauded, and he received standing ovations both in Barcelona at the Camp Nou, as well as from rival supporters in away matches.[31] A leg injury sustained in mid-November 2008 left Iniesta sidelined until 3 January; initially expected to return to action in six weeks, he did not want to come back until he was 100 percent. Upon his return to action on 3 January, as a 65th-minute substitute againstMallorca, he scored a crucial goal after just ten minutes on the pitch and completed a Barcelona comeback in front of theCamp Nou.[32] 3 days later, he captained Barcelona for the first time in an official match, a 3–1 victory againstAtlético Madrid at theVicente Calderón in the round-of-16 first leg of theCopa del Rey.
Iniesta sustained another injury during a home match againstMálaga, but returned to action for the first leg Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on 8 April, which Barcelona won 4–0.[33] He scored a vital equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time during the second leg of the Champions League semi-final againstChelsea, with acurling strike with the outside of his right foot 25 yards from goal, securing the tie on away goals as the match finished 1–1 atStamford Bridge.[34] In the season review,Un Any Al Paradis, Iniesta wrote, "I connected with that shot with the outside, not the inside or the tip of my boot, but right from my heart, with all my might."[35]
"I knew I would play injured and do more damage. For 17 days, all I thought about was the final in Rome and winning, even knowing that I would do more damage. I'd repeat it, for sure. I love this club and my profession and I wanted to win. If we had lost the final that would have been a total disaster."
Iniesta's goal against Chelsea sent Barcelona through to thefinal in Rome against defending championsManchester United. Prior to the final, United managerAlex Ferguson identified Iniesta as Barça's biggest threat: "He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible. He's so important for Barcelona."[16] Despite a thigh injury, Iniesta played and was influential in the game, providing the assist for the first goal scored bySamuel Eto'o as his team went on to win 2–0.[37] In his analysis,David Pleat wrote, "In the end the midfield artistry of Iniesta and Xavi, helped by[Lionel] Messi, was the critical factor."[38] After the game, United strikerWayne Rooney described Iniesta as the best player in the world.[39]
Iniesta received plaudits for his performances that season;Don Balón rated him as the league's most consistent performer.[40] Later that year, he placed fifth for the2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award, with 134 votes,[41] and fourth for theBallon d'Or, receiving 149 points.[42] Barcelona extended his contract by one year, until 2015, and raised his buy-out clause to €200 million.[43]
Barcelona won a second successive league title in the2009–10 season, securing a record 99 points. Individually, however, Iniesta endured a campaign largely disrupted by recurring injuries. He missed pre-season fitness training due to the thigh tear suffered in the 2009 Champions League final.[44] Despite featuring in almost as many matches as the previous season, he did so mostly as a substitute, starting only 20 games throughout.[45] His season came to a premature end in April after he aggravated a previous calf injury during training.[46]
A contributing factor of Iniesta's fractured season were the episodes of psychological instability he suffered privately following the death of his close friendDaniel Jarque, a fellow footballer, in August 2009. Even when physically fit, he was often unable to complete training sessions or exert himself. After seeking psychological help, including from psychologistInma Puig,[47] he experienced catharsis when he scoredSpain's match-winning goal in the2010 FIFA World Cup final, which he dedicated to Jarque by revealing the message "Dani Jarque, always with us" written on his undershirt.[48] "I did it because I felt it deeply," Iniesta said at the time. "It showed that what is more important than rivalry, your team or your colours is to be human and a good person. I am delighted because it was the most important moment in my career."[49] Regarding the recurrent injuries that plagued his season, he said, "It was hard, but I will start with more desire than ever."[49]
Iniesta scored his first goal of the2010–11 season during the opening league fixture against Racing de Santander, lobbing the ball into the net from a distance of 30 yards.[50] Throughout the campaign, he received standing ovations from opposition fans, including atEl Sardinero and theVicente Calderón Stadium, in appreciation of his World Cup-winning goal.[51] Another standing ovation came on the home pitch ofEspanyol in theDerbi barceloní, with the crowd acknowledging his friendship with Daniel Jarque, Espanyol's captain at the time of his death.[52] Iniesta was one of the three finalists for the2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or alongside Xavi and Messi, placing as runner-up behind the Argentine.[53]
Iniesta started the2011–12 season by scoring the opening goal in the second leg of theSupercopa de España againstrivalsReal Madrid. Barcelona went on to win the match 3–2 and the cup5–4 on aggregate. One of his best goals followed in October againstViktoria Plzeň in theChampions League group stage after an interchange of passes with Messi. Iniesta played a record 51 matches unbeaten in La Liga, concluding with Barcelona's 2–0 defeat of Mallorca on 24 March.[54] In the Champions League, he ended a goal drought by scoring a vital goal against Milan in thequarter-finals. From there, he went on to score in the semi-final against Chelsea to make the scoreline 2–0, but the match ended 2–2, eliminating his team 3–2 on aggregate. Towards the end of the year, on 25 November, Iniesta was named man of the match after scoring one goal and providing three assists in a 4–0 win overLevante.[55] His performances earned him third place in the voting of the2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.[56]
Iniesta signed a new contract with Barcelona in December 2013, keeping him at the club until 2018.[57] As vice-captain, he regularly captained Barça throughout the club's second treble-winning campaign of the2014–15 season, and became captain afterCarles Puyol's retirement andXavi's departure. Iniesta scored three times during the team'sCopa del Rey campaign,[58] and wasman of the match in the2015 UEFA Champions League Final, having assistedIvan Rakitić's opening goal in the 3–1 defeat of Italian championsJuventus atBerlin'sOlympiastadion.[59] Their European victory made Barcelona the first club in history to win thetreble of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup twice;[60] Iniesta was among the seven players to have been a part of both treble-winning teams.[60]
During the firstClásico of the2015–16 season, on 21 November, Iniesta became only the third Barcelona player, afterDiego Maradona in 1983 and Ronaldinho in 2005, to receive applause from Real Madrid fans at theSantiago Bernabéu.[61] His man-of-the-match performance included a goal and an assist, contributing to a resounding 4–0 victory.[62]
He signed a lifetime contract with Barcelona on 6 October 2017, effectively keeping him with the club for the remainder of his career.[63] He played the 650th game of his career for Barcelona againstLevante on 7 January 2018, he was replaced byAndré Gomes after 76 minutes as the game ended 3–0 in favour of Barcelona.[64]
Despite signing a lifetime contract, on 27 April 2018, Iniesta announced he would be leaving Barcelona by the end of the season.[65] He made his 674th and final appearance for Barcelona on 20 May, in the final league match of the season, a 1–0 home victory overReal Sociedad, as Barcelona celebrated the victory of their 25th league and 30th Copa del Rey title; he came off in the 81st minute forPaco Alcácer.[66]
On 24 May 2018, Japanese clubVissel Kobe announced the signing of Iniesta on a three-year deal.[67] He made his debut on 22 July, coming on as a second-half substitute forKazuma Watanabe in a 0–3 defeat againstShonan Bellmare.[68] On 11 August 2018, Iniesta scored his first goal in theJ1 League in a 2–1 win overJubilo Iwata.[69]
On 11 May 2021, Iniesta signed a contract extension with Vissel Kobe, keeping him at the club for another two seasons.[75] On 11 November 2021, he was namedJ.League Monthly MVP after scoring three league goals in October.[76] He was named in the 2021J.League Best XI on 6 December 2021.[77]
On 14 May 2022, Iniesta scored a goal and guided Vissel Kobe to its first league win of the 2022 season in a 4–0 victory overSagan Tosu.[78]
On 25 May 2023, Vissel Kobe said Iniesta would leave the club midway through the current J.League season, on 1 July.[79] Iniesta had played significantly less for the club in his final season.[80] He stated he did not want to retire as yet, and wished to play for a club where he could get regular playing time.[81][80]
On 7 August 2023, Iniesta arrived in the United Arab Emirates to join theUAE Pro League clubEmirates.[82] He signed a one-year contract with an option to extend until 2025.[83] He made his debut on 19 August 2023 againstAl Wasl, coming off the bench in the second half, in a match ended with a 0–1 defeat as the Emirates failed to create a single shot on target.[84] On 25 August 2023, he would score his first UAE Pro League goal, a penalty in injury time againstAjman in a match that ended as a 4–4 draw.[85] His first season with Emirates concluded in the 13th place and relegation to theDivision 1.[86]
On 7 October 2024, Iniesta announced his retirement from professional football.[87]
Iniesta was called up to represent thesenior Spain squad at the2006 FIFA World Cup on 15 May 2006, much to the surprise of many. He debuted at half-time in a friendly match againstRussia on 27 May.[90] His first goal followed in another friendly match againstEngland on 7 February 2007. His long-range effort, hitting the underside of the crossbar on the way in, gave Spain the lead on 63 minutes.[91] Iniesta played a pivotal part in Spain'squalification for UEFA Euro 2008 by scoring goals againstSweden and by assisting the strikers.
Iniesta was selected in Spain's squad forUEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Though a stomach ailment somewhat hampered his performances in the group stages, he still played an integral part in the midfield. He played in the first two of Spain's group stage matches and proved an important part of the team, providing a pass forDavid Villa's second goal against Russia. Despite Spain being assured qualification for the quarterfinals after two matches, he was not rested unlike most of Spain's regulars for the final group game againstGreece, which Spain won 2–1 thanks to a volley fromRubén de la Red and a late winner fromDaniel Güiza. Iniesta returned for the quarter-final as Spain beatItaly on penalties; he was substituted before the penalty shootout itself. In the semi-final against Russia, he played the entire 90 minutes and produced a cross that Xavi converted to open the scoring in an eventual 3–0 victory;[92] he was subsequently named the Man of the Match.[93] He played the duration of thefinal in Spain's 1–0 win overGermany. Iniesta was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside fellow Spain midfielders Xavi,Marcos Senna and six other teammates. Iniesta did not participate in the2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa due to a thigh muscle injury; Spain was eliminated from the tournament at the semi-final stage.[94]
Iniesta was selected for Spain in the2010 World Cup and scored the second goal in a 2–1 group stage win againstChile. He was also namedman of the match.[95] For his excellent performances in helping Spain reach the final of the tournament, Iniesta was shortlisted for the Golden Ball award.[96] During thefinal, he scored the winning goal in the 116th minute of a 1–0 win againstNetherlands.[97] He earned a yellow card for removing his jersey during his ecstaticgoal celebration to reveal his message to his late friendDani Jarque.[98][99] He won theman of the match award for his performance in the final, which gave Spain its first-everWorld Cup.[100]
AtUEFA Euro 2012, Iniesta was awarded the man of the match award for his performances in three different matches. He was also selected as man of the match inthe final against Italy, which Spain won 4–0. In winning the award, Iniesta became the only Spanish player to win the award at least once in each of Spain's three consecutive successful tournaments.[101] Iniesta was also chosen as theUEFA Euro 2012 Player of the Tournament.[102]
At the2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Iniesta was named in the Team of the Tournament and awarded the Silver Ball for the second best player in the competition, as Spain finished runner-up to host nationBrazil.[103] Iniesta started all three matches for Spain at the2014 World Cup, winning his100th cap in the team's final group match againstAustralia.[104] At theUEFA Euro 2016, he assisted the only goal of the match againstCzech Republic and put in a man of the match display to give Spain a winning start in the tournament.[105] He started in all four Spain's matches and were later knocked out by Italy in theRound of 16.
In May 2018, Iniesta was named in Spain's squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[106] He started in all three matches of thegroup stage, making an assist forIsco in the 2–2 draw againstMorocco on 25 June 2018. He came off the bench in the 67th minute in Spain's last match at the tournament againstRussia on 1 July 2018 for theround of 16. After the loss in the penalty shoot-outs, Iniesta announced his retirement from international duty.[107] He amassed 131 senior international caps for Spain and at the time of retiring was the nation's fourth-most-capped player of all time, behind onlyIker Casillas,Xavi, andSergio Ramos.[108]
Iniesta on the ball for Barcelona againstBayer Leverkusen in 2012
Like fellowLa Masia graduateCesc Fàbregas, Iniesta originally started as adefensive midfielder,[109] but his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, allied with his skill, composure, and flair on the ball, saw him make progress as anattacking midfielder. Beyond his raw talent that was spotted at a young age by Barcelona's scouts, it was his great versatility, work ethic and inventiveness that allowed him to stake a claim on a first-team place at the age of 18.[110][111][112] Vicente del Bosque described him as "A complete footballer. He can attack and defend, he creates and scores," andFrank Rijkaard said, "I played him as a falsewinger,central midfielder,deep midfielder and justbehind the striker and he was always excellent."[16] He was used initially as a wide-forward in the absence ofJuan Román Riquelme andRonaldinho byLouis van Gaal and Rijkaard respectively, but made his name as a world-class player in central midfield alongside or in lieu ofXavi, at both club and international level. As FIFA.com said, "It is in this position that his direct style and quick feet can be used to full effect, with the ball seeming glued to his toes as he races into threatening positions." A diminutive midfielder, Iniesta was a player known for his passing, technique, vision and movement;[16][113][114] he was also highly regarded for his ability to read the game, as well as his acceleration, and close control at speed, which — when combined with his low centre of gravity — rendered him one of the most skilleddribblers of all time,[115] by allowing him to change direction quickly, get past opponents, and undertake individual runs with the ball, despite not being particularly quick. Moreover, Iniesta's former managerGuardiola praised him for "his mastery of the relationship between space and time", which he utilises to his advantage in order to disorient opposing players when in possession.[111][116][117][118][119][120] His signature move wasLa Croqueta – a move pioneered byMichael Laudrup and popularised by Iniesta – where he quickly pushed the ball from his right foot to his left which took the ball away from an opponent, allowing him to get out of a tight situation.[121] His role was also likened to that of amezzala, in Italian football jargon, namely an offensive–mindedbox–to-box or central midfielder.[122]
"The one who plays this game the best is Iniesta: he knows exactly when to go forward and when to drop back. He picks the right moment to do everything: when to dribble, when to speed things up and when to slow things down. And I think that's the only thing that can't be taught or bought. You can learn how to shoot and how to control the ball, but being aware of everything that's happening out on the pitch – that's something you're either born with or you're not."
Much like other Barcelona youth products such as Pep Guardiola,Xavi andIván de la Peña, Iniesta was aplaymaker who relied on his technique, passing, intuition, movement and inventiveness to control the midfield, dictate the ebb and flow of play, and create chances or space for teammates.[16][124][125] Iniesta was praised for his understanding and interplay with Xavi; former Barcelona teammateGiovanni van Bronckhorst said of the pair, "They have a special relationship, they always have, they just seem to know where the other one is."[126] Despite not being particularly prolific in front of goal, during his maturation as a player, Iniesta gained a reputation of being a big-game player for club and country, assisting a goal in each of the2009,2011 and2015 UEFA Champions League finals,[127] as well as scoring the winner in the 2010 World Cup final, not to sideline his vital contributions in the2006 Champions League final, theEuro 2008 final, and theEuro 2012 final, being known for his ability to score from powerful strikes outside the box. He is also the only footballer in history to win the Man of the Match award in a World Cup final, a European Championship final, and a UEFA Champions League final.[128][110][118]
Iniesta's willingness to play anywhere on the pitch earned him the sobriquetEl Ilusionista (The Illusionist),El Cerebro (The Brain),El Anti-Galáctico (a pun on Real Madrid players' nicknameLos Galácticos),El Caballero Pálido (The Pale Knight)[129] and more recentlyDon Andrés from the Spanish press. He is widely regarded by many in the sport as one of the most respected and best midfielders of all time,[18][130][131][132] and as one of the greatest passers and playmakers in football history.[133][134] Despite his reserved personality, he was also known for his leadership.[135]
Iniesta had a sponsorship deal with sportswear companyNike, and has appeared in Nike commercials alongsideCristiano Ronaldo,Neymar,Zlatan Ibrahimović andWayne Rooney.[136] Iniesta features in EA Sports'FIFA video game series, and was the sixth-highest rated player inFIFA 15.[137] Iniesta's signature move,La Croqueta, features inFIFA 19.[138] In March 2015, Iniesta had the ninth highest social media rank in the world among sportspeople, with 24 million Facebook fans.[139] On 22 October 2018, Iniesta signed a new sponsorship deal with Japanese sportswear companyAsics,[140] with his first signature boot being released on 15 July 2019.[141]
Iniesta is married to Anna Ortiz; the couple began dating in 2008 and got married on 8 July 2012.[142] They have three daughters and two sons, born between 2011 and 2023.[143][144][145][146] The couple lost an unborn child, a son, due to miscarriage in March 2014.[147] Iniesta is aCatholic.[148]
In 2011, Iniesta invested €420,000 in his boyhood club,Albacete, thus becoming its major shareholder.[149] Two years later, with the club facing administrative relegation to the fourth tier of Spanish football, he loaned them a further €240,000 to cover unpaid wages.[150]
^"Iniesta "Verratti sarà mio successore"" [Iniesta "Verratti will be my successor"].www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it (in Italian). 20 February 2017.Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved15 April 2022.
^"FIFA FIFPro World11".FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 October 2017. Archived fromthe original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved24 October 2017.
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