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Goal.com 50: Andres Iniesta (4)
Goal.com continues its countdown of the best 50 players of 2010-11 with the magnificent Spanish star, who masterminded further glory for Barcelona
20-Aug-2011 1:41:00 PM
By Paul Macdonald
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2010-11. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 22 with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
The past season represented a different world to Andres Iniesta. For a long time the unassuming, understated companion to Xavi, his World Cup final goal handed him international notoriety the likes of which the reserved Spaniard had never before known.
One swing of his right boot in extra-time in Soccer City had everyone talking about 'The Pale Knight', with pundits scrambling to declare the 27-year-old to be among the world's elite footballers. It was a fact that followers of Barcelona had known for some time, and despite the additional attention, in 2010-11 he enjoyed one of his most consistent campaigns since breaking into the first team almost a decade ago.
Nine goals in 50 appearances in all competitions equalled his best-ever return in front of goal, and he was notably fresh and injury free, barely missing a competitive fixture as the result of a trip to the treatment table. With compatriot Xavi also seemingly refreshed, the duo seemed to elevate Barca to heights even this modern day juggernaut had previously struggled to attain.
Perhaps the finest example of their telepathy came in the October fixture against Valencia. 1-0 behind at the interval, Barca burst from the dressing room, and a glorious one-two exchanged between the pair allowed Iniesta to slot home on the way to a 2-1 win.
The season was not without its emotion, too; after parading a message of love to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who had died suddenly in the summer of 2009, the fans of the Catalan rivals provided the diminutive playmaker with a spine-tingling reception when Barca appeared at Cornella-El Prat in December. Remembering his emotional World Cup tribute, the public were respectful of how, at the moment that is likely to define his career, Iniesta sought to immortalise another. Barca went on to demolish their cross-city opponents 5-1, but Iniesta's place as one of the game's most-liked footballers was further solidified.
Pep Guardiola was once asked if the graduate of La Masia had been born a footballer, to which his tactician replied: "No, he was already a good player in his mother's womb." It is the cogent nature of it all, the way in which he unerringly splits defences, and takes possession of the ball with such care and consideration. There really isn't anyone like him in the modern game, in terms of all-round attributes.
Barca's continued dominance was further highlighted by the shortlist for the 2010 Fifa Ballon d'Or, which saw Xavi and Iniesta pitted against incumbent Lionel Messi. Although the Argentine eventually retained his crown, Iniesta's inclusion represented further acknowledgement of his abilities, and after graciously accepting second in the contest, he set about ensuring Barca's finished nowhere but first in both La Liga and the Champions League.
He assisted the Catalans through the intensity of their four Clasico meetings with Real Madrid in the space of 17 days, a run that laid the foundation for a third successive Spanish title, and sent Barca to Wembley to face Manchester United. The win, and the performance of Iniesta and Xavi in midfield, defined a new standard that other teams at this moment in time can only dream of attaining.
The past season represented a different world to Andres Iniesta. For a long time the unassuming, understated companion to Xavi, his World Cup final goal handed him international notoriety the likes of which the reserved Spaniard had never before known.
One swing of his right boot in extra-time in Soccer City had everyone talking about 'The Pale Knight', with pundits scrambling to declare the 27-year-old to be among the world's elite footballers. It was a fact that followers of Barcelona had known for some time, and despite the additional attention, in 2010-11 he enjoyed one of his most consistent campaigns since breaking into the first team almost a decade ago.
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"He is the complete footballer. He can attack and defend, he creates and scores." - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque
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Nine goals in 50 appearances in all competitions equalled his best-ever return in front of goal, and he was notably fresh and injury free, barely missing a competitive fixture as the result of a trip to the treatment table. With compatriot Xavi also seemingly refreshed, the duo seemed to elevate Barca to heights even this modern day juggernaut had previously struggled to attain.
Perhaps the finest example of their telepathy came in the October fixture against Valencia. 1-0 behind at the interval, Barca burst from the dressing room, and a glorious one-two exchanged between the pair allowed Iniesta to slot home on the way to a 2-1 win.
| MOMENT OF THE SEASON |
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| LA LIGA ESPANYOL 1-5 BARCELONA |
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| After his emotional World Cup final tribute to the late Daniel Jarque, Iniesta received a rapturous reception from the Espanyol supporters when the sides clashed in December's Catalan derby. |
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The season was not without its emotion, too; after parading a message of love to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who had died suddenly in the summer of 2009, the fans of the Catalan rivals provided the diminutive playmaker with a spine-tingling reception when Barca appeared at Cornella-El Prat in December. Remembering his emotional World Cup tribute, the public were respectful of how, at the moment that is likely to define his career, Iniesta sought to immortalise another. Barca went on to demolish their cross-city opponents 5-1, but Iniesta's place as one of the game's most-liked footballers was further solidified.
Pep Guardiola was once asked if the graduate of La Masia had been born a footballer, to which his tactician replied: "No, he was already a good player in his mother's womb." It is the cogent nature of it all, the way in which he unerringly splits defences, and takes possession of the ball with such care and consideration. There really isn't anyone like him in the modern game, in terms of all-round attributes.
Barca's continued dominance was further highlighted by the shortlist for the 2010 Fifa Ballon d'Or, which saw Xavi and Iniesta pitted against incumbent Lionel Messi. Although the Argentine eventually retained his crown, Iniesta's inclusion represented further acknowledgement of his abilities, and after graciously accepting second in the contest, he set about ensuring Barca's finished nowhere but first in both La Liga and the Champions League.
He assisted the Catalans through the intensity of their four Clasico meetings with Real Madrid in the space of 17 days, a run that laid the foundation for a third successive Spanish title, and sent Barca to Wembley to face Manchester United. The win, and the performance of Iniesta and Xavi in midfield, defined a new standard that other teams at this moment in time can only dream of attaining.
| "With compatriot Xavi also seemingly refreshed, the duo seemed to elevate Barca to heights even this modern day juggernaut had previously struggled to attain." |
At the age of 27, Iniesta has already collected 17 major honours for both club and country, and as Guardiola continues to refine his squad to a ludicrous level of excellence, that figure is only likely to increase as he reaches the peak of his career.
But no matter how this team develops over the next few years, it can be said with certainty that Iniesta will be at its beating heart, building a Xavi-like legacy with each passing week.
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