Paulo Ferreira

Andrés Iniesta Luján, is a Spanish football player who assumes the mid-fielder position during play. He was born in Fuenteabilla, Spain on11th May 1984 and currently plays for the Spanish football club Barcelona and national team donning number 8.

He was a product of the Barcelona youth academy La Masia and he made the first team debuting at the age of 18. He started his contract with FC Barcelona during 2004-05 seasons and has been an integral part of the 2009 team that won 6 titles in the season.

His style of play has earned him the accolades of being the greatest midfielder of all time and the best of the contemporary generation. Iniesta’s international debut was preceded by him playing for U-16, U-19 and U-21 for the country before he was called up for the 2006 UEFA FIFA World Cup. He was instrumental in Spain winning Euro 2008 and was chosen for UEFA Team of the Tournament.

He was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was pivotal in winning the Cup for Spain. His goal against the Netherlands in the final was a winning one and he was awarded the Man of the Match for it. He also figured in the All-Star-Team of the tournament. Spain won a consecutive second title in Euro 2012 with his dynamic play and was declared as the Tournament’s Best Player. He also won 3 man of the match awards in the same tournament.

Iniesta’s career records include 323 appearances for Barcelona and 31 goals starting from 2002 till date and 54 appearances and 5 goals for Barcelona B. for the Spanish national team under different categories he appeared for 94 times and found the net 11 times. He is married to Anna Ortiz and has two children from the marriage. He had also invested substantially with his childhood club Albacete for which his father is a board of directors.