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| Andres Iniesta is one of three Barcelona players nominated Picture |
Antonio Garcia and Christopher Jack
11 Dec 2010
THE immediate aftermath may have been lost in a whirlwind of jubilation, but the goal that won the World Cup and thrilled an expectant nation remains vivid in the memory of Andres Iniesta.
With his speed of thought and exquisite technique, the little playmaker was already a standout for all-conquering Barcelona before he became king of the world with La Roja after his extra-time winner against the Netherlands.
Having progressed through Barca’s remarkable youth academy, which has produced some of the finest footballers in recent generations, Iniesta is the perfect modern attacking midfielder. He performs with distinction for both club and country alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets, and has lifted every major title available to him in domestic and international football.
However, his greatest triumph arrived when he capped a man-of-the-match winning performance with the goal that crowned Spain as world champions for the first time in South Africa this summer.
“When Cesc [Fabregas] passed the ball to me, I didn’t have any time to think or be nervous,” recalled Iniesta in an exclusive interview with Herald Sport. “I knew where the goal was and how I had to shoot. The shot did not go exactly where I wanted, but it was good enough and the keeper could not react.
“When I saw the ball hit the net, I ran, I screamed. It was awesome. After that I was looking forward to the end of the match, so I could celebrate it. I don’t remember what happened after the game, or even days later. It was an amazing night for everyone.”
While the superlatives used to describe Iniesta’s skill have all but run dry, his ambition has not, with the Spaniard now setting his sights on improving on a trophy haul that includes four La Liga titles, four Spanish Super Cups, a Copa del Rey, the FIFA Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and two Champions League medals, as well as World Cup and European Championship wins with Spain – all at the age of 26.
Individual plaudits have been plentiful, too, and last week he was nominated for the FIFA Ballon D’Or, a merger of the FIFA World Player of the Year Award and the Ballon D’Or, a prize handed out by France Football Magazine, alongside Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Xavi.
I never dreamt that I could win the Ballon D’Or; I dreamt of winning titles because that is the most important thing for me,” Iniesta said. “I’m excited to be nominated with other great players, especially with players like Diego Milito missing.
“I have been lucky enough to win many things but, in a few years when I look back, I want to have won more medals than I have now.”
It is little surprise that Iniesta’s managers for club and country, Pep Guardiola and Vicente del Bosque, are shortlisted for the Coach of the Year award, alongside Jose Mourinho, a Champions League winner with Inter.
To Iniesta, the 39-year-old Guardiola is a master of his craft. He said: “He is a coach that every day teaches you something new in each training session. He gives you solutions, he makes you a better player. With Pep, we [Barcelona] have taken a leap in quality.”
With three wins from three games, including a 3-2 victory over Scotland at Hampden, Spain are well on route to qualifying for the 2012 European Championships, where they will be favourites to retain their crown but Iniesta believes Scotland can still join them at the finals.
He said: “We knew the game against Scotland was going to be difficult. There are still games to play and Scotland still have a chance to qualify if they play with the same motivation and football as they did against Spain.”
