The Barcelona midfielder announced recently that he had retired from his professional career.
From an early age, Iniesta’s love for football was apparent, as he was born in Fuentealbilla, Spain. Before enrolling in FC Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of twelve, he started off playing for his hometown team, Albacete Balompie.
The 18-year-old midfielder Andres Iniesta debuted for the first squad in 2002, but he didn’t start playing frequently until the 2004–05 campaign.
But Iniesta’s big break at Barcelona came against Arsenal in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final, when he entered the game as a substitute and significantly changed the course of play, leading the Catalans to victory.
He had a distinguished career with Barcelona, where he played until 2018 before departing to play in Japan.
After competing for Spain at the Under-16, Under-19, and Under-21 levels, Iniesta made his senior team debut in 2006, marking the beginning of his international career.
In addition to being awarded Man of the Match and starting in the tournament’s All-Star side, he was an important player of the Spanish side that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored the game-winning goal against the Netherlands in the final and was named Man of the Match.
Controlling the speed of a game is one of Iniesta’s most distinctive qualities. With his ability to see the game well, pass with accuracy, and dribble, he can control the tempo and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
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Fans and commentators worldwide have come to appreciate his subtle brilliance and grace on the pitch.
Andres Iniesta Achievements
Ranking among the top five most decorated football players in world history is the Spanish midfielder. These are his accomplishments during his lengthy career, which spanned more than two decades.
Barcelona
La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18
Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2016
UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
UEFA Super Cup: 2011, 2015
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Vissel Kobe
J1 League: 2023
Emperor’s Cup: 2019
Japanese Super Cup: 2020
Spain U16
UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 2001
Spain U19
UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2002
Spain
FIFA World Cup: 2010
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Individual
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2008, 2012
La Liga Best Spanish Player: 2009
La Liga Best Midfielder: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
FIFA FIFPro World11: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
UEFA Team of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016
Onze de Bronze: 2009
FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010
ESM Team of the Year: 2010–11, 2017–18
Onze d’Argent: 2011
Marca Legend Award: 2011
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2012
UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament: 2012
IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker: 2012, 2013
IFFHS World Team of the Decade 2011–2020
IFFHS UEFA Team of the decade 2011–2020
FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Ball: 2013
La Liga top assist provider: 2012–13
Golden Foot: 2014
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16
UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (published 2015)
FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball: 2015
France Football World XI: 2015
La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16
UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016)
J.League Best XI: 2019, 2021
Ballon d’Or Dream Team (Bronze): 2020
Decorations
Prince of Asturias Awards: 2010
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Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011
Queen Sofia Award: 2017
Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit: 2018