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Andrés Iniesta

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Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta
Personal information
Full name Andrés Iniesta Luján
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder / Winger
Team information
Current team
 FC Barcelona
Number 8
Youth career
1994–1996 Albacete
1996-2000 FC Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 FC Barcelona B
2002– FC Barcelona
International career‡
2003–2006 Spain U19
2001–2002 Spain U20
2003–2006 Spain U21
2006– Spain
2004– Catalonia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 11, 2009
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 11, 2009

Template:Spanish name 2 Andrés Iniesta Luján (born May 11, 1984 in Fuentealbilla, Albacete, Castile-La Mancha) is a Spanish football attacking midfielder who plays for FC Barcelona. His willingness to play anywhere on the pitch, coupled with a natural humility, has earned him the sobriquet El Anti-Galáctico from the Catalan press.[2] Amongst local fans, he is nicknamed niño de coro ("the choir boy") due to his youthful appearance and consistent sportsmanship. Another nickname is the "ghost" due to the way he always seems to find himself in the right position with nobody seeing him, and because of his extremley white skin that resembles a ghost

Early career

Initially, the 12 year old Iniesta was supposed to sign for Real Madrid but his parents were dismayed at the proximity of street crime and brothels to the Madrid youth set up. They were then advised to travel to Barcelona and take a look at FC Barcelona school for youths: La Masia. The trip resulted in Iniesta's enrollment in the Barça youth ranks. Like fellow La Masia graduate Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta originally started as a volante or holding midfielder[3] but his balance, close control and skill on the ball saw him make progress as an attacking midfielder. From that moment on he worked his way up the club ranks. Louis van Gaal handed him his debut on October 29, 2002, a UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge KV. He appeared eleven times in the league in 2003-04, mostly as a deputy for Camp Nou favourite Ronaldinho, scoring once as Barça sealed second place behind Valencia.

2004-2007

In the 2004-05 season Iniesta successfully secured a permanent slot in the first team and figured in 37 of 38 league games — more than any other player. He displayed an unselfish attitude by regularly aiding forwards Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho but performed poorly in front of goal — denied by the woodwork on several occasions, he found the net just twice.

Iniesta's improvement as a player continued in the 2005-06 season, and because of the absence of Xavi due to injury, he was given regular starts in midfield. The increased playing time offered to him at the highest level gave him the opportunity to blossom into a superb midfielder. His contribution to the team was praised by manager Frank Rijkaard as Barcelona won a league and Champions League double.

The 2006-07 season saw Iniesta's profile continue to rise and earned plaudits for his willingness to play in any position for his team. On August 22, 2006 Andres lifted the Joan Gamper Trophy as the captain of the team after defeating German side Bayern München 4-0. He played for the first time as a striker for Barcelona in two Champions League matches against Levski Sofia, finding the net twice. In the first knock out stage of the same competition, he played at left-back against Liverpool. Despite being moved around the pitch by manager Frank Rijkaard, the 2006-07 season remains Iniesta's highest scoring thus far.

According to the Spanish football magazine Don Balón, a member of European Sports Magazines, Iniesta has been one of the most consistent performers in the last two seasons of Primera Division, placing fifth in 2006-2007[4], and fourth in 2007-2008[5] on their annual rating system Ranking Don Balón. He also placed 9th in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year voting, gaining 37 total points.[6] Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi Hernández also featured in the top ten.

2008-present

On September 24, 2008, Andrés Iniesta was chosen as one of the new Barcelona captains, with the former vice-captain, Ronaldinho, departing for AC Milan. According to local newspaper, El Mundo Deportivo, Iniesta will be the Barça fourth-choice captain, behind fellow Spaniards, Carles Puyol (1st-choice), Xavi (second-choice), and Víctor Valdés (third-choice). This new achievement by Iniesta has been welcomed by all Culés worldwide, and, especially, by the pro-Barcelona press throughout Spain. In mid November 2008, Iniesta suffered a leg injury and was expected to return to action in 6 weeks. Iniesta, however, did not want to come back until he was 100 percent and finally returned to action on January 3, 2009 as a 65th minute substitute against RCD Mallorca. After only 10 minutes he scored a crucial goal and completed a Barcelona comeback in front of the Camp Nou.[7] His performances in the 2008-09 season have been highly lauded, receiving standing ovations both in Barcelona at the Camp Nou, as well as from rival supporters in away matches.[8]

On February 5, Iniesta made his 250th appearance for FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey match against RCD Mallorca. Iniesta once again got injured in Barcelona's home match against Malaga, but returned to action for the first leg Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich, which Barcelona won 4-0.

His current contract with FC Barcelona ends in June of 2014.[9] On July 19 2007 he was linked with a move to rivals Real Madrid, with reports in newspapers suggesting Real was prepared to pay €60 million for him[10] which would trigger his release clause. Iniesta disregarded the rumours and reiterated his desire to remain with Barça by saying "I can’t do anything about it but I’d like to insist once again that I want to stay here. When I say I want to retire in Barça, I say it with all my heart."[11] Iniesta's release clause has since been raised to €150 million, to dissuade possible suitors.

International career

Iniesta playing for Spain during Euro 2008

Iniesta burst on to the international scene in 2001, helping Spain win the UEFA European Under-16 Championship, and was in the squad that claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship the following year. In 2003 he formed part of the Spanish side that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in the United Arab Emirates, and was named in the FIFA all-star team. During his spell with the Spain U21s side, Iniesta was named captain on several occasions.

He was called up to represent Spain at the World Cup 2006 on May 15 2006. Iniesta won his first cap for Spain when he was brought on at half-time in a friendly against Russia on May 27, 2006.

He scored his first goal for Spain in a friendly against England on February 7, 2007. His long range effort, hitting the underside of the crossbar on the way in, gave Spain the lead on 63 minutes. Iniesta proceeded to play a pivotal part in Spain's qualification for Euro 2008 by scoring goals against the likes of Sweden and by assisting the strikers. Iniesta usually played in the middle of the pitch, but he was also trusted with roles further up the pitch when Spain was away from home, most notably in the game against Denmark where he was given an advanced left wing position.

He was selected in Spain's squad for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Though a stomach bug somewhat hampered his performances, 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 particularly notable pass for David Villa's second goal against Russia. He was not rested, unlike most of Spain's regulars, for the final group game against Greece (which Spain won 2-1 thanks to a fantastic volley from Rubén de la Red and a late winner from Daniel Güiza), and returned for the quarter final as Spain beat Italy on Penalties. Iniesta was substituted before the penalties as in his other starts. In the semi-final against Russia he played the entire 90 minutes and produced a quality cross which Xavi converted to give Spain the lead, he was also named Man of the Match [12]. He played the full duration of the final in Spain's 1–0 win over Germany. He was the only Spanish player who played all matches at starting lineup. Iniesta was placed in 23-man UEFA Team of the Tournament.

Personal life

Iniesta's mother used to work as a maid in Hotel Rambla, and his father is a retired bricklayer who now handles Iniesta's club career choices. Iniesta has a cousin named Javier Gaston Alberto who is 14 years old and currently plays as a striker for one of the Barcelona juvenile teams and is considered a hot prospect for the future.

All-time club performance

As of April 11, 2009

Club Season League Cup[13] Europe[14] Club World Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Barcelona B 2000-01 10 0 - - - - - - 10 0
2001-02 25 3 - - - - - - 25 3
2002-03 14 3 - - - - - - 14 3
Total 49 6 - - - - - - 49 6
FC Barcelona 2002-03 6 0 0 0 3 0 - - 9 0
2003-04 11 1 3 1 3 0 - - 17 2
2004-05 37 2 1 0 8 0 - - 46 2
2005-06 33 0 5 0 11 1 - - 49 1
2006-07 37 6 8 1 9 2 2 0 56 9
2007-08 31 3 7 0 11 1 - - 49 4
2008-09 21 3 6 0 7 0 - - 34 3
Total 176 15 30 2 52 4 2 0 260 21
Career totals 225 21 30 2 52 4 2 0 309 27

International goals

[15]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 February 2007 Old Trafford, Manchester, England  England 0–1 0–1 International Friendly
2. 28 March 2007 ONO Estadi, Palma de Mallorca, Spain  Iceland 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
3. 2 June 2007 Skonto stadions, Riga, Latvia  Latvia 0–2 0–2 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
4. 8 September 2007 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
5. 17 November 2007 Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain  Sweden 2–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
6. 15 October 2008 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium 1–1 1–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

FC Barcelona

  • Runner-up (1): 2006
  • Runner-up (1): 2006

Spain

Individual

References

  1. ^ Barcelona site
  2. ^ http://euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=58031/index.html
  3. ^ FCBarcelona.cat. "Andrés Iniesta Lujan". Retrieved 17 March. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ donbalon.com. "RANKING DB 2006-2007". Retrieved 1 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ www.donbalon.com. "Ranking DB 07-08". Retrieved 1 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ fifa.com. "FIFA World Player Gala 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Goal.com. "Iniesta Enjoys Barcelona Return Against Mallorca". Retrieved 4 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Goal.com. "Player Ratings: Almeria 0-2 Barcelona". Retrieved 15 March. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ www.footballdatabase.com
  10. ^ Real Madrid chasing Barcelona midfielder Iniesta
  11. ^ FCBarcelona.cat
  12. ^ euro2008.uefa.com - Fanzone
  13. ^ Includes Supercopa de España
  14. ^ Includes UEFA Supercup
  15. ^ Fútbol en la RedTemplate:Sp icon
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