- Andrs Iniesta Lujn is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.
- Iniesta came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, after an early emigration from his birthplace, and impressed from an early age. He began playing regularly during the 2004 05 season and has remained in the team ever since He was an integral part of the Barcelona team that won a historic six trophies in 2009.
- Iniesta is considered to be one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
- Iniesta played for Spain at the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before making his international debut in 2006.
- Iniesta has been chosen in the UEFA Team of the Year four times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), and has been voted into the FIFA World XI on six occasions: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
- In recognition of his outstanding performances with club and country, as well as his individual and team achievements, Iniesta received the Marca Legend Award in 2011.
- At the age of 12, while playing for Albacete Balompi in a junior seven-a-side tournament in Albacete, he attracted the attention of scouts from many clubs around Spain. His parents knew the FC Barcelona youth team coach, Enrique Orizaola, and he persuaded them to consider sending Iniesta to the Barcelona youth academy.
- Iniesta traveled there with his parents and visited La Masia, the farmhouse where the club houses its young players; the trip convinced them to enroll Iniesta in the Barcelona youth ranks.
- Iniesta says he “cried rivers” the day he left for La Masia and struggled being separated from his parents; He captained the Barcelona Under-15 team to victory in the Nike Premier Cup of 1999, scoring the winning goal in the last minute of the final, and being named player of the tournament.
- Just after Iniesta arrived at the club, then Barcelona midfielder Pep Guardiola famously told fellow midfielder Xavi, “You’re going to retire me.
- At Euro 2012, Iniesta steered Spain to their second consecutive continental crown, being chosen as the Best Player of the Tournament and winning 3 Man of the Match awards (including in the final against Italy)
- Iniesta won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award in 2012, and was also chosen as the Best Player of the 2011 12 UEFA Champions League. He was runner-up to Lionel Messi for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or and achieved third place in 2012.
