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Andres Iniesta
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Andres Iniesta is an immensely talented attacking midfielder who
plays for FC Barcelona. With good skills on the ball, great
passing and movement, good vision, rounded off with a sound
footballing braing, Iniesta is one of the most exciting
footballing talents to have emerged from Spain in recent years.
He is generally deployed by Frank Rijkaard in a central midfield
role, although he has also played on the right hand side of
midfield on occasion.
Club History
At the age of 12, Iniesta was spotted by Bar�a scouts at his
local club Albacete Balompi�. He was switftly signed and 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 KV. Appeared eleven times in the league in 2003/04,
mostly as a deputy for Camp Nou favourite Ronaldinho, as Bar�a
sealed second place, scoring once.
2004/05: Iniesta successfully nailed down a permanent slot in
the first team and figured in 35 of 38 league games - more than
any other player. He displayed an unselfish attitude by
regularly aiding strikers Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho but was
unfortunate in front of goal - denied by the woodwork on several
occasions, he found the net just twice.
2005: Iniesta's improvement as a player has continued and
because of the absence of Xavi due to injury, he has been given
more regular starts in midfield. His contribution to the team
has been praised by Coach Frank Rijkaard and he has already
notched up an impressive tally of 1 goal and 5 assists this
season.
National Team
Iniesta burst on to the international scene in 2001, helping
Spain win the UEFA European Under-16 Championship, and was in
the squad that claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship
the following year. In 2003 he formed part of the Spanish side
that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in the
United Arab Emirates, and was named in the FIFA All-Star Team.
He also went on to captain the Spanish U21 side.
In late 2005 Iniesta was invited to take part in a meeting of
shortlisted players for the Spanish national squad leading to
speculation that he may have a role to play in the Spanish
national team at the World Cup of 2006. |
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