Andrés Iniesta Luján (Fuentealbilla (Spain) 11th May 1984) is a football player who plays for FC Barcelona. His willingness to play anywhere on the pitch, coupled with a natural humility, has earned him the sobriquet El Ilusionista. Initially, the 12-year-old Iniesta was supposed to sign for Real Madrid but his parents travelled to Barcelona and took a look at the FC Barcelona youth school, La Masia. The trip resulted in Iniesta's enrolment in the Barça youth ranks. Like fellow La Masia graduate Cesc Fàbregas, Iniesta originally started as a volante or holding midfielder but his balance, close control and skill on the ball saw him make progress as an attacking midfielder. From that moment on he 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 K.V. He appeared eleven times in the league in 2003-04, mostly as a deputy for Camp Nou favourite Ronaldinho, scoring once as Barça sealed second place behind Valencia CF. Since its debut in Barcelona has won 2 Super Spain, 3 leagues of Spain, 1 UEFA Championship U-19, 1 Champions League, 1 Euro, and currently is in the Cup final in Spain and the Champions League . |
