Iniesta: The Magician

Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta announced his retirement from football at the age of 40. The midfielder was one of the best of his generation, achieving remarkable feats during his 16 years at Barcelona and scoring the most important goal in Spain’s history, in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.

Iniesta leaves an immeasurable legacy in football, with his quiet leadership and midfield mastery, bringing a beautiful story in the sport to a close.

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The Emotional Farewell

Iniesta held an event after announcing his retirement. He gathered personalities from Barcelona and Spanish football and was moved as he bid farewell to his playing career. He intends to stay involved in football, working as a coach.

– Football ends at this stage, but the game goes on. I can’t be far from football; it’s been my life and will continue to be. We’re working on different projects. I’m already starting the coaching course. The rest is history: titles, defeats, tough moments… but pride and never giving up is what makes me happy. I wish I could have played until I was 90, but I’m happy to have fulfilled the dream of being a player — said the Spanish star.

Andrés Iniesta se emociona em despedida do futebol — Foto: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Iniesta also reiterated his desire to return to Barcelona, the club where he spent most of his career.

– I would like to return to Barça. Those who made a mark at this club should be there, but they need to be in the right condition. Every professional is unique. My role will be the Iniesta way.

A Life at Barcelona

Iniesta’s first steps in football were with Barcelona, at La Masia, the club’s youth academy.

He joined Barcelona in 1996, at 12 years old, and played two seasons for Barcelona B before making his first-team debut in the 2002–03 season under Louis van Gaal, in a Champions League match against Brugge at 18.

In the 2004–05 season, he established himself in the first team, playing a significant role in winning the La Liga title.

In 2006, Barcelona won the Champions League, and Iniesta was a starter for most of the competition, although he surprisingly began the final on the bench and came on at halftime in the 2-1 comeback win against Arsenal.

Andrés Iniesta - Perfil de jogador | Transfermarkt

Iniesta wore the number 24 shirt, but with Giuly’s departure to Roma, he inherited the number 8 shirt in 2007.

On August 13, 2008, Pep Guardiola had his first game in charge and debuted with a win. From then on, Iniesta became a key figure in the beginning of a new era in football, the Guardiola era at Barça.

The revolution Pep Guardiola brought to Barcelona is considered one of the most significant transformations in modern football history. He implemented a playing philosophy based on ball possession, constant movement, and high pressing, revolutionizing the club’s playing style and influencing football worldwide.

His approach was based on “tiki-taka,” a strategy that valued ball control through quick and short passes, with players constantly repositioning to create passing lanes and maintain possession.

In the 2008/09 season, Barcelona achieved the Treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. In May 2009, Andrés Iniesta scored a stunning goal in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal, sending the Spanish team to the final against Manchester United. Iniesta assisted Eto’o’s opening goal in the 2-0 victory for Barça, completing the club’s first-ever Treble.

Agência/Getty Images

In December 2009, Barça defeated Estudiantes 2-1 in the final, finishing the year as World Champions.

They won La Liga again in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons. In 2011, they secured their third Champions League title, once again against Manchester United. In the final, the forward trio of Pedro, Messi, and David Villa shone, each scoring a goal in the 3-1 victory. However, the midfield with Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets was the team’s key component.

In December 2011, Barcelona crushed Neymar’s Santos 4-0 in the Club World Cup final.

Guardiola: Iniesta key - Eurosport

In the 2012/13 season, Iniesta won La Liga, but the 2014/15 season saw Barcelona return to its magical form. The famous attacking trio of Neymar, Messi, and Suárez, supported by the elegance of Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, led Barça to their second Treble, with La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

In the 2014/15 Champions League, Iniesta made a legendary play in the quarterfinals against PSG, dribbling past four defenders before setting up Neymar to open the scoring. The game ended 2-0 for the Catalans, enough to secure a spot in the semifinals.

In the final, won 3-1 against Juventus, Iniesta provided the assist for Rakitić’s opening goal and was named the best player of the match.

“I’m speechless. It’s spectacular to win three titles in one season again,” Iniesta celebrated, highlighting the ‘Treble’ achievement.

UEFA Champions League on X: "Happy birthday, four-time #UCL winner & Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta! https://t.co/5Nex7QLL8Z" / X

In December, Barcelona defeated River Plate 3-0 in the Club World Cup final, winning the title once more.

An iconic moment in Iniesta’s career was being applauded at the Santiago Bernabéu. The midfielder played a great match, scored a brilliant long-range goal, and assisted Neymar in a 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the 12th round of the 2015/16 La Liga. When he was substituted, the Madrid fans rose and applauded the star.

In the 2016/17 Champions League, Iniesta was crucial in Barcelona’s historic comeback against PSG in the Round of 16. The French team had won the first leg 4-0, but Barça turned it around with a 6-1 win at Camp Nou. Iniesta scored the second goal with a beautiful individual play.

The midfielder also won the La Liga titles in 2015/16 and 2017/18.

In 2018, Iniesta played his last game for Barcelona, a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, receiving a standing ovation at Camp Nou and ending his 22-year cycle at the club.

Iniesta ended his time at Barcelona with 674 appearances, 57 goals, and 121 assists, leaving an undeniable legacy as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

Photo: BARCELONA FC

Iniesta won 32 titles with Barcelona over 16 seasons, an impressive average of two trophies per year:

  • La Liga: 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2017/18
  • Copa del Rey: 2008/2009, 2011/2012, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018
  • Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2016
  • Champions League: 2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, and 2014/2015
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, and 2015
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, and 2015

Time at Vissel Kobe, Japan

In 2018, Iniesta signed with Vissel Kobe for a three-year contract, but he remained at the club for six seasons, making history in Japan. The Spanish midfielder was treated as a true star, not only drawing the world’s attention to the J-League but also raising the level of Japanese football in terms of visibility and technical quality.

On the field, Iniesta showcased the same class that made him famous in Europe, with his passing ability, game vision, and ball control, even playing at a different pace than he was used to.

He achieved historic results with Vissel Kobe. In 2019, the club won the Emperor’s Cup, its first major title, with Iniesta being one of the main highlights. The following year, they won the Japanese Super Cup, further solidifying Iniesta’s impact on the team. Besides the titles, he also helped Vissel Kobe reach the AFC Champions League semifinals, a first for the club.

In his final season, he had fewer minutes than before and announced at a press conference that he would leave Vissel Kobe due to a lack of playing time in recent months.

“I want to keep playing football, I feel capable of doing so. Ending this chapter, we’ll see what options arise. I’d like to end my career playing, and I want to give it a try. It’s been challenging here,” Iniesta said.

In six seasons with Vissel Kobe, the Spanish midfielder made 133 appearances, scored 26 goals, and provided 25 assists.

Vissel Kobe, de Iniesta, bate Kashima Antlers, de Zico, e é o 1.º campeão de 2020

In August 2023, he took on his last challenge as a football player. He signed with Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, where he spent a year before announcing his retirement from football.

Iniesta in the Spanish National Team

Iniesta was a key figure in the most glorious era of the Spanish National Team’s history. His journey with Spain began at a young age, as he stood out in the youth teams that won both the UEFA European Under-16 and Under-19 Championships. He was also named in the “All-Star Team” at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates, where Spain finished as runners-up after a 1-0 loss to Brazil in the final.

With the senior team, Iniesta made his debut in a friendly against Russia in May 2006, coming off the bench to replace Marcos Senna. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

In the 2006 World Cup, Spain had a modest campaign, getting knocked out in the Round of 16 by France. Iniesta featured in just one match, starting in the 1-0 group-stage win over Saudi Arabia.

The 2008 European Championship marked the beginning of a new era in international football, dominated by Spain. “La Furia” emerged from the group stage with a perfect record, defeating Russia, Sweden, and Greece.

In the quarterfinals, Spain drew 0-0 with Italy and prevailed in the penalty shootout, thanks to a stellar performance from goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

In the semifinals, Spain faced Russia again and completely controlled the game, winning comfortably 3-0. Iniesta was named the best player of the semifinal.

In the final, Spain took on Germany and delivered another impressive performance. The Spanish side controlled the game through midfield dominance, led by Xavi, Iniesta, and Marcos Senna.

Spain won 1-0 with a goal from Fernando Torres, assisted by Xavi, ending a 44-year title drought, and much more success was yet to come.

Iniesta completa 39 anos: relembre títulos marcantes do jogador - ISTOÉ Independente

Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @EURO2024

In 2010, the Spanish National Team was built around the star-studded Barcelona squad led by Guardiola. Many of the team’s principles were carried over, and Iniesta, alongside Xavi and David Villa, played pivotal roles in Spain’s first and only World Cup victory.

In the 2010 World Cup, Spain began with a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland but bounced back by defeating Honduras and Chile to advance to the knockout stages.

In the Round of 16, Spain faced Portugal in a tight match with few chances. Iniesta set up David Villa, who scored after two attempts to secure the 1-0 win and progression to the quarterfinals.

Paraguay was the opponent in the quarterfinals, and they had the chance to take the lead, but Óscar Cardozo’s penalty was saved. Xabi Alonso then converted a penalty, but the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment, and Alonso’s second attempt was saved by goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Late in the match, Iniesta passed to Pedro, who hit the post, allowing Villa to score on the rebound, sending Spain to their second-ever World Cup semifinal.

The semifinal was a rematch with Germany, whom Spain had defeated in the 2008 Euro final. Spain emerged victorious once again with Puyol’s iconic header securing a 1-0 win.

In the final, Spain faced the Netherlands in an intense clash. After a goalless draw in regular time, the match went into extra time. Robben had a golden chance to score but was denied by Casillas’ legendary save.

In the 116th minute, Iniesta received a pass from Fàbregas inside the box, controlled it, and fired home to score the most important goal of his career and in Spain’s history. He celebrated by taking off his shirt to honor his friend Dani Jarque, a former Spanish youth teammate who passed away in August 2009 due to a heart attack.

Histórias da Copa do Mundo: Iniesta dedica o gol da vitória a Dani Jarque

Spain won their first-ever World Cup, with Iniesta being one of the team’s cornerstones. He finished second in the 2010 Ballon d’Or, behind only Lionel Messi.

In 2012, Spain’s status as the world’s best team was confirmed with a resounding win in the European Championship final.

In the group stage, “La Roja” defeated Croatia and Ireland and drew with Italy.

In the quarterfinals, they beat France 2-0 and overcame Portugal in a penalty shootout in the semifinals.

The final saw a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Italy, with Spain’s possession-based play overwhelming the opposition. Iniesta was named the best player of the tournament and went on to win the UEFA Player of the Year Award, finishing third in the Ballon d’Or race behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

iniesta espanha taça eurocopa vestiário (Foto: Agência Getty Images)

Photo: Getty Images Agency

Iniesta also played in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but Spain’s campaigns were disappointing, as they failed to progress past the group stage in 2014 and were eliminated by Russia on penalties in the 2018 Round of 16.

Following the loss to Russia, Iniesta retired from the Spanish National Team.

Iniesta’s illustrious career came to a close, leaving a significant legacy in football. A player who, with elegance and simplicity, reached greatness and helped shape the sport in the 21st century. Alongside Guardiola, he was a key figure in the “tiki-taka” style that changed the way football was played and perceived.

Off the pitch, Iniesta is remembered for his humble character and sportsmanship, earning him the respect of teammates and rivals alike. His legacy goes beyond trophies and individual awards, inspiring generations of young players to value teamwork, technique, and football intelligence.

He concluded his career as one of the most decorated players in history, with 38 titles, 97 goals, and 192 assists in 933 appearances.

 

Written by Henry Miller.

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Tags: Footballers, Highlights, Protagonists

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