A clever little footballer with nimble feet and the ability to play anywhere across the midfield of one of the world's finest teams. Sound familar? We salute you Andrés Iniesta...
He may not enjoy the same profile as some of his Barca teammates, but Andres Iniesta is surely one of the Catalan sides finest players.
He’s a world-class midfielder with peerless vision. Barça’s best player in 2006-07 and 2007-08, he received an underhand compliment when the Madrid press tried to unsettle the midfielder by linking him with a move to the Bernabéu.
Iniesta has risen through the Camp Nou ranks since being spotted playing in a youth tournament in 1996. He may be slight, quiet and pasty-faced, but Barça’s No.8 is an elegant performer possessing the excellent anticipation, feeding clever balls to Barça’s ever-dangerous front line. Technically flawless and of a studious disposition, Iniesta attends college three times a week.
The Albacete-born midfielder made his Barça debut in 2002 and within two years had established himself as a first choice midfielder alongside Xavi and Deco in the side which would win the league and Champions League in 2006.
Iniesta’s international career is just as glittering. He was a European champion with Spain at Under 16 and Under 19 level. In 2008, he played in the victorious European Championship side. Little wonder that a street is named after him in his home town.