“On a personal level, these are special achievements,” Andres Iniesta tells Sky Sports. He refers to his player of the Match Awards in the World Cup Final 2010, 2012 European Championship Final and 2015 Champions League final. Do you think?
This is roughly the closest that Iniesta comes up. It is part of the reason why the legendary Barcelona and Spain -midfielder is so loved. In an era in which brash in so many layers of life seems to rule, his subdued genius remains.
Even his 116th minute winner in that World Cup final was not devoted to his own glory but the memory of another. Iniesta's Shirt-Reveal honored his friend, Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who died last summer after a heart attack.
The second of his triptych had neither a goal nor an assist. Iniesta's late replacement Juan Mata even scored within a minute in the emphatic 4-0 victory of Spain over Italy in 2012. It was still clear that Iniesta had been the excellent player of the game.
A record of 106 goals in 1016 professional football matches reveals something about his lifespan, but for an attacking midfielder hardly indicates the level of his influence and does not tell us why it was that this man was the brightest at the greatest moments.
How come he could produce in that final? Perhaps it is that he raised his level, intervening when he was needed to steer these games on his side. Or maybe others dropped their level under intense pressure, while he was able to keep his.
Does he have an explanation for this himself? “Well, it's a bit of everything,” explains Iniesta. “It is that responsibility, that mentality, who desire to play in these kinds of competitions, that trust in yourself, that determination to do your work.”
He pauses. “Fortunately I had the opportunity to win that final.”
Maybe. But he also created those opportunities.
In particular, he did this by lugging in that world cup winner in South Africa. But there was also the pass before the PAS to start the route of Italy two years later and then the assist for the opening goal against Juventus in that Champions League final in Berlin.
“They are special competitions because you never play normally in those situations, but you also try to do it naturally, the same routines, the same things, not to put pressure on yourself anymore,” he adds. Dealing with the pressure of a final seems to be the key.
Have fun with football may be just as important. “Above all, enjoy that moment, enjoy the people, remember your family, the people who always support you.” Could that not weigh someone? Not in the world of Iniesta. “It's a time to be very happy.”
Iniesta speaks with Sky Sports in Munich as part of his role as Fedex ambassador, sponsors of the UEFA Champions League. His role, as someone who is delivered so often at the big moments, is, literally, to deliver the trophy to the Bavarian Host City.
He is well received by the crowds, still honored. Although he cuts a somewhat uncomfortable figure in the spotlight outside the field and people wonder how he finds pension because he has finally mentioned time on his long career in the fall. Iniesta became 41 this month.
But he remains closely connected to the game. Still a supporter of Barcelona, ​​he talks about Lamine Yamal and his “unique talent”, confessing that he is interested in Paris Saint-Germain who is eliminated Internazionale in the final because of his friends at PSG.
Iniesta has history with both clubs. The last time the trophy was lifted was in 2010 when Jose Mourinho's side beat the Barca of Pep Guardiola in a tense semi -final. Iniesta missed both legs due to injury. “At the time it was difficult to accept,” he admits.
That Barca side is considered perhaps the biggest ever, winning the Champions League the season before and the following season. But a volcanic ash cloud forced them to travel by bus to Milan for the first stage. “Things happen in football that you can't check.”
As for PSG, those memories are more fun, albeit after losing 4-0 in Paris in 2017. “That was difficult. But the comeback was one of those crazy matches.” Barca won 6-1 in the Camp Nou to continue. “It was one of those nights that you will always remember.”
Luis Enrique was the Barcelona coach that day and one of the above friends to which Iniesta refers to the French club. Winning the Champions League with a second side would help to strengthen his legacy – an inheritance that Iniesta believes that it is deserving.
“He is a special coach. I know him as a teammate and as a coach and he has a unique talent. He is an incredible worker. He knows how to convey his ideas to others, he knows how to convince. And he has very clear ideas about how he wants to play.”
Of course the same could be said about Iniesta. Today, after retirement, he puts his energies in his academy and what is called 'the Iniesta Methodology'. Fundamentally, this focuses on the importance of developing not only better players, but also better people.
“I think football is a spectacular way to do it,” he says. “I had the opportunity to make a career as a football player and this is a way to transfer that path and its values ​​to the youngest. The young boys and girls who are now growing up, they are the future.”
The play days of Iniesta are in the past. And yet he continues to exist as a symbol. Physically he was neither the fastest nor the strongest. He has been open to his fighting with depression and fear. But he showed us everything that there is another way to win.
FedEx is an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League
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