Andres Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta



Everyone knows the story of when Iniesta became a well known player amongst Barcelona fans the one were the Catalan legend told Xavi: you will make me retire, but this guy (Iniesta) will retire both of us. Some very big words at a young age. It has taken Iniesta some time to establish himself into the first team. Last year he was one of the few players to take part in all of the games in la Liga (apart from the last one), where he became known as the twelfth player, filling in for suspensions and injuries and being the first substitution to come on. Iniesta shown great maturity and often played like a veteran player at such a young age. This year everyone was expecting him to step up a gear, especially after Xavi got a long time injury. However filling Xavi's boots proved more difficult than Guardiola's words. Iniesta seemed more a player of 30 minutes rather than 90 and received some if not a lot of criticism for not living up to expectations. He was thought not to be a player of enough qualities to play for Barcelona, but someone for the second half or even harsher someone of qualities for a Espanyol or Atletico Madrid. Rijkaard started to play him in Guardiola's old position, rather than the one of Xavi. Xavi himself had difficulties making people forget Guardiola, where he started in the classical 4 position, but only when he was moved forward did he become the recognised player he is today. Iniesta excelled in the position of 4, where his small physic did not hinder him to orchestrate the team into attack. He was simply more intelligent than his opposition. Then came the Benfica games were he once again excelled, but his graduation came against Milan, were he was simply wonderful. In that game he tackled like Deco and guided his team into the necessary tempo like Xavi or Guardiola. We will see if the final against Arsenal will be his master and the if he will postgraduate in the World Cup where he expected to go.



Well done to a boy who plays like a man. He is someone your grandmother would be happy if you brought him home, as he is a modest, polite a generally seen as a good boy, rather than a flamboyant or a dangerous one for your grandchild.

Foto del:webdelcule.com