Andrés Iniesta facts for kids
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Iniesta lining up for Spain in 2017
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 May 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Fuentealbilla, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | Albacete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2001 | Barcelona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2003 | Barcelona B | 49 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2018 | Barcelona | 442 | (35) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2023 | Vissel Kobe | 114 | (21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | Emirates | 20 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 625 | (66) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Spain U15 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | Spain U16 | 7 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Spain U17 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Spain U19 | 7 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Spain U20 | 7 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2006 | Spain U21 | 18 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Catalonia | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2018 | Spain | 131 | (13) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Andrés Iniesta Luján (born 11 May 1984) is a Spanish former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder. Many people think he is one of the greatest midfielders ever. He was known for his amazing ball control and quick moves.
Iniesta spent most of his career at Barcelona. He was a key player in their success. He played alongside other great midfielders like Xavi and Sergio Busquets.
He started his football journey at La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy. He joined the first team when he was 18 in 2002. Iniesta helped Barcelona win two historic "trebles" (winning three major trophies in one season) in 2009 and 2015. He won 35 trophies in total, including nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. This makes him the most successful Spanish footballer ever. After 22 years at Barcelona, Iniesta moved to Japanese club Vissel Kobe in 2018. He later played for Emirates in the UAE before retiring in October 2024.
Iniesta also played for Spain at different youth levels. He made his senior international debut in 2006. He helped Spain win UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2012. He was also a key player when Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands. For this, he was named the best player of that match. His great performances in 2010 made him runner-up for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or award.
Iniesta was chosen for the FIFA FIFPro World XI nine times. He also won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in 2012.
Contents
Club Career: Iniesta's Journey
Early Days at Barcelona
Iniesta grew up in Fuentealbilla, a small village in Spain. He mostly played futsal because there were no big football fields. When he was 12, scouts from big clubs noticed him. He was playing for Albacete Balompié in a junior tournament.
His parents knew a youth coach from Barcelona. This coach convinced them to send Iniesta to Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia. Iniesta visited the famous farmhouse where young players live. This visit helped his parents decide.
Iniesta said he "cried rivers" when he first left home for La Masia. He was very shy back then. He became captain of the Barcelona Under-15 team. They won the Nike Premier Cup in 1999. Iniesta scored the winning goal in the final. Soon after Iniesta arrived, the Barcelona captain, Pep Guardiola, told his teammate Xavi: "This lad is going to retire us all."
Becoming a Star: 2004–2008
Iniesta joined Barcelona's main team in 2002. He played his first game in the UEFA Champions League. In the 2004–05 season, he played in 37 out of 38 league games. Most of these were as a substitute. Barcelona won La Liga that year.
When Xavi got injured in the 2005–06 season, Iniesta started playing more often. He played in 11 Champions League games. He even came on at half-time in the 2006 final. Barcelona won both the league and the Champions League that season. His coach, Frank Rijkaard, praised his contribution.
In the 2006–07 season, Iniesta became even more famous. He was willing to play in any position for his team. He even played as a left forward in some Champions League matches and scored twice. This was his highest-scoring season. In 2008, he changed his shirt number to his favorite, number 8.
Treble Success: 2008–2009
At the start of the 2008–09 season, Iniesta became the fourth captain of Barcelona. His performances were highly praised. Fans, even from rival teams, gave him standing ovations.
He had an injury in November 2008 but came back in January. He scored an important goal against Mallorca. A few days later, he captained Barcelona for the first time in an official match.
Iniesta scored a crucial goal in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. His amazing shot from outside the box in the last minute made the score 1–1. This meant Barcelona went to the final because of the "away goals" rule.
Before the final against Manchester United, their manager Alex Ferguson called Iniesta Barcelona's biggest threat. Iniesta played in the final despite an injury. He helped set up the first goal. Barcelona won 2–0. After the game, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said Iniesta was the best player in the world.
Overcoming Challenges: 2009–2012
Barcelona won another league title in the 2009–10 season. However, Iniesta had a tough time with injuries. He also went through some personal challenges after the death of his close friend Daniel Jarque, a fellow footballer.
When he scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, he dedicated it to Jarque. He showed a message on his undershirt that said, "Dani Jarque, always with us." Iniesta said this moment was the most important in his career.
In the 2010–11 season, Iniesta scored a fantastic goal from 30 yards out. He often received standing ovations from rival fans. This was because of his World Cup-winning goal and his friendship with Daniel Jarque. Iniesta was one of the top three players for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or award.
In the 2011–12 season, Iniesta scored the first goal in the Supercopa de España against Real Madrid. Barcelona won that cup. He also scored a great goal in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzeň. He was named man of the match in a 4–0 win over Levante. He finished third in the voting for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Captain and Farewell: 2013–2018
Iniesta signed a new contract with Barcelona in 2013. He became vice-captain and then captain after Carles Puyol and Xavi left. He helped Barcelona win their second treble in the 2014–15 season. He was named man of the match in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final. He assisted the first goal in their 3–1 win against Juventus. Barcelona became the first club to win the treble twice. Iniesta was one of seven players to be part of both treble-winning teams.
In a match against Real Madrid in 2015, Iniesta received applause from Real Madrid fans. This is a very rare honor. He scored a goal and made an assist in Barcelona's 4–0 victory.
He signed a lifetime contract with Barcelona in 2017. On 7 January 2018, he played his 650th game for the club. Despite the lifetime contract, Iniesta announced on 27 April 2018 that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season. He played his final game for Barcelona on 20 May 2018. Barcelona celebrated winning their 25th league title and 30th Copa del Rey.
New Adventures: Vissel Kobe and Emirates
On 24 May 2018, Iniesta joined Japanese club Vissel Kobe. He made his debut in July. On 11 August 2018, he scored his first goal in the J1 League.
In 2019, he scored in the semi-final of the 2019 Emperor's Cup. On 1 January 2020, he won his first trophy in Japan, the Emperor's Cup. A month later, he also won the 2020 Japanese Super Cup. In December 2020, he had surgery for a muscle tear.
On his birthday in 2021, Iniesta signed a new contract with Vissel Kobe. He was named the J.League Monthly MVP in October 2021. He was also chosen for the 2021 J.League Best XI.
In May 2022, Iniesta helped Vissel Kobe get their first league win of the season. In May 2023, Vissel Kobe announced that Iniesta would leave the club. He wanted to keep playing regularly.
On 7 August 2023, Iniesta joined Emirates in the United Arab Emirates. He scored his first goal for them in a 4–4 draw. His team finished 13th and was moved down to a lower league. On 7 October 2024, Iniesta officially announced he was retiring from professional football.
International Career: Playing for Spain
Youth and Early Senior Years
Iniesta started playing for Spain's national teams in 2001. He helped Spain win the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship. He also played in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. The next year, he was part of the team that won the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He was often captain of the Spain U21 side.
Iniesta was chosen for the senior Spain squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He made his debut in a friendly match against Russia in May 2006. His first goal for Spain came against England in February 2007.
European and World Champion: 2008–2012
Iniesta was in Spain's squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He played an important role in midfield. Spain won the tournament, beating Germany 1–0 in the final. Iniesta played the whole final. He was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Iniesta was chosen for Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored a goal in a group stage win against Chile. He was named man of the match for that game. He was also a candidate for the Golden Ball award, given to the best player of the tournament.
In the final against the Netherlands, Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 116th minute. He celebrated by taking off his jersey to show a message for his late friend Dani Jarque. He won the man of the match award for his performance. This goal gave Spain its first-ever World Cup title.
At UEFA Euro 2012, Iniesta was named man of the match three times. He was also the man of the match in the final against Italy, which Spain won 4–0. Iniesta was chosen as the best player of the tournament.
Later International Years: 2013–2018
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At the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Iniesta was named in the Team of the Tournament. He won the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Spain finished second to Brazil. Iniesta played in all three matches for Spain at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He earned his 100th cap (game) for Spain in their final group match.
At UEFA Euro 2016, he assisted the only goal against Czech Republic. He was named man of the match. Spain was later knocked out by Italy.
In May 2018, Iniesta was in Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He played in all three group stage matches. He made an assist in a 2–2 draw against Morocco. In Spain's last match against Russia, he came off the bench. After Spain lost in a penalty shootout, Iniesta announced his retirement from international football. He played 131 games for Spain.
Personal Life
Iniesta is married to Anna Ortiz. They got married in 2012. They have three daughters and two sons.
In 2011, Iniesta invested money in his childhood club, Albacete. He became a major owner. Two years later, he loaned them more money to help them with unpaid wages.
In 2018, Iniesta and his Vissel Kobe teammate Lukas Podolski helped raise money for victims of an earthquake in Japan.
Honours
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, 2010, 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
- 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 Awards
- 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
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010
- UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2012
- UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament: 2012
- IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2012, 2013
- Golden Foot: 2014
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16
- J.League Best XI: 2019, 2021
See Also
In Spanish: Andrés Iniesta para niños
- List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
- List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
- List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
- List of FC Barcelona players (150+ appearances)
- List of La Liga players (400+ appearances)
Images for kids
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Iniesta during the 2008 Joan Gamper Trophy
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Iniesta playing against Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Champions League, October 2009
