Andrés Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta Luján (born 11 May 1984 in Fuentealbilla, Albacete) is a Spain attacking midfielder currently playing for FC Barcelona. He is generally deployed by coach Frank Rijkaard in a central midfield role and is a favourite amongst the Barça fans.

Club career

At the age of 12, Iniesta was spotted by Barça scouts at his local club Albacete Balompié. He was switftly signed and worked his way up the club ranks. Louis van Gaal handed him his debut on 29 October, 2002, a UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge KV. He appeared eleven times in the league in 2003-04, mostly as a deputy for Camp Nou favourite Ronaldinho, as Barça sealed second place, scoring once.

In the 2004-05 season Iniesta successfully secured a permanent slot in the first team and figured in 37 of 38 league games - more than any other player. He displayed an unselfish attitude by regularly aiding strikers Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho but was unfortunate in front of goal - denied by the woodwork on several occasions, he found the net just twice.

Iniesta's improvement as a player continued in the 2005-06 and because of the absence of Xavier Hernández Creus due to injury, he was given regular starts in midfield. The increased playing time offered to him at the highest level gave him the opportunity to blossom into a superb midfielder. His contribution to the team was praised by Coach Frank Rijkaard. His callup to the Spain national football team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup came as no surprise to football pundits.

On the 22nd of August, 2006 Andres lifted the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy as the captain of the team after defeating German side Bayern München 4-0.

His current contract with FC Barcelona ends in June of 2010. On July 19th he was linked with a move to rivals Real Madrid. Reports in newspapers suggested Real was prepared to pay 60 million euros for him which would trigger his release clause. However, he reiterated his desire to remain with Barça by saying "I can’t do anything about it but I’d like to insist once again that I want to stay here. When I say I want to retire in Barça, I say it with all my heart."

For the 2007/08 season, Iniesta has been given the number '8' shirt for Barça after it was vacated following Ludovic Giuly's transfer to A.S. Roma.

National team

Iniesta burst on to the international scene in 2001, helping Spain win the UEFA European Under-16 Championship, and was in the squad that claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship the following year. In 2003 he formed part of the Spanish side that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in the United Arab Emirates, and was named in the FIFA all-star team.

He has captained the Spain national under-21 football team side on several occasions.

Iniesta`s mother used to work as a maid in Hotel Rambla, and his father is a retired lawyer who now handles Iniesta`s club career choices. Iniesta has a cousin named Javier Gaston Alberto who is 14 years old and currently plays for one of the Barcelona juvinile teams and is considered a hot prospect for the future he plays striker. Iniesta has a sister who is a popstar called "Marica".

He was called up to represent Spain national football team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup on May 15 2006. Iniesta won his first cap (sport) for Spain national football team when he was brought on at half-time in a friendly against Russian national football team on the 27th of May, 2006.

He scored his first goal for Spain in a friendly against England national football team on February 7 2007. Spain took the lead on 63 minutes when Iniesta thumped home a right-footed shot in off the crossbar from the right-side of the box after Villa's cross was flicked into his path.

Trophies

FC Barcelona

- 2006-07 Supercopa de España
- 2005-06 UEFA Champions League
- 2005-06 La Liga
- 2005-06 Supercopa de España
- 2004-05 La Liga

Spain

- UEFA Under-16 Championship winner
- UEFA Under-19 Championship winner
- Finalist with the Spanish team to the FIFA World Youth Championship