Andres Iniesta is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe and formerly, for the Spanish National Team. He spent most of his seasons at Barcelona, as a key member of the team, and also captained the side. He was acquired by Barcelona under their Youth Program launched in 1999. Under his leadership, the team won a nail-biting match, when he netted the match-winning goal in the last minute and helped his side lift the Nike Premier Cup. For his performance, he was titled the Player of the Tournament. In 2002, he made his debut in the first-team of Barcelona, and by 2004, he became one of the core players of the team. Being an inseparable part of the team, he led his team to win “The Treble” two times.
For his national team as well, he was a key contributor. He has been a part of National Spanish teams that won 2008 Euro Cup, 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euro. He is considered as the best mid-fielders and among great footballers of all time. He scored the World Cup winning goal in the 2010 World Cup in added time.
Andres Iniesta Early Life
Andres was born on 11th May 1984 in Fuentealbilla, a small village in Spain to Jose Antonio and Maria Lujan. His father was a well-known businessman in Albacete, whereas, his mother was a housekeeper. Andres’ childhood was a normal, comfortable childhood, as he spent most of it amidst comfort. He had a deep interest in football since his childhood. At the age of 10, his father enrolled him at the Albacete youth academy where he performed wonders. In a tournament, the Spanish club Barcelona were amazed by his skills.
His father’s connections with the manager of FC Barcelona helped Andres to qualify for a trial in which he succeeded. Andres was not a confident child and was very shy, but his father filled him with confidence, and made him to believe in himself, and to move to Barcelona. At the academy, the management raised questions about his age as he was not even a teenager when he joined the academy, but his father intervened and cleared the air. soon Andres started practicing, and gradually over a period of time, became the best player in the academy. Under his captaincy, his team won the Nike Premier Cup in 1999 where he was titled as the Player of the tournament.
Andres Iniesta Personal Life
After four years of dating Anna Ortiz from 2008 till 2012, Andres and Anna finally got married in 2012. The couple have three children: two sons and a daughter, named Valeria, Siena and Paolo Andrea. Andres has a deep connection with his childhood club Albacete, as he was even seen helping the club financially during it’s crucial period.
Andres Iniesta Professional Life
Andres Iniesta, being a midfielder, his role was less about scoring goals but was, in 2004 after he joined the main squad of Barcelona, in his first season he played a huge role in Barcelona’s victory in the La Liga. His brilliant performances carried on and on, in 2008 he signed Barcelona for the next six years.2008-09’s season was the time when his carrier was at the peak, he not only received applause from his team but from the opponent team as well. In 2009, playing a semi-final match against Chelsea in the Champions League, Andres netted a historical goal in the last minute of the match to drag the game to a draw. As a result, his team reached finals and beat Manchester United to lift the Champions League trophy. In an interview, the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admitted that Andres was the best player in the world.
For his national team, his biggest career achievement was during 2010 FIFA World Cup. His team was playing against the Netherlands in the final match and the match was approaching towards penalties. Andres, just at 116th minute, four minutes before the end of extra time, netted a historical goal for his team, and helped Spain win the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Andres was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant performance. After Spain’s defeat to Russia in the Round of 16 match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he publicly announced his retirement from international football.
| Clubs | Season |
| Barcelona B | 2001-03 |
| Barcelona | 2002-18 |
| Vissel Kobe | 2018-current |
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, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016
- UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Andres Iniesta Achievement
- La Liga World Player of the Year: 2015–16
- Barcelona Player of the Season (Trofeo Aldo Rovira): 2015–16
- UEFA La Liga Team of The Season: 2015–16, 2016–17
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2016
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 2nd team: 2014, 2015, 2017
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 3rd team: 2018
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 4th team: 2013
- La Liga Player of the Month: May 2016, December 2017
Physical Measurements
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 68kg
Eye color: Hazel
Hair color: Dark Brown
Andres Iniesta Personal Details
Full name: Andrés Iniesta Luján
Date of Birth: 11 May 1984
Age: 35
Place of Birth: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Playing position:Central midfielder
Education: Ramon Llull University
Relationships: Anna Ortiz
Children: Valeria, Siena and Paolo Andrea
Hobbies: playing football and reading books
Andres Iniesta Controversy
Andres was heavily criticised after posting controversial blackface picture online.
Andres Iniesta Net Worth
Andres Iniesta’s Net worth is estimated to be $86 Million dollars
Social Media Profiles
Andres Iniesta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndresIniesta/
Andres Iniesta Twitter: @Iniesta_th
Andres Iniesta Instagram: @andresiniesta8
