Happy Birthday, Andrés Iniesta!
Andrés Iniesta Lujan celebrates his 29th birthday today, May 11, 2013.
Iniesta’s father responds to Mourinho
José Antonio Iniesta, the father of FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta, hit back at Real Madrid coach José Mourinho’s comments on his son, pointing out that the Portuguese manager “doesn’t know respect and shame.” Earlier in the week, Iniesta junior had spoken in favor of beleaguered Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to which Mourinho later responded that the Barcelona player should mind his own business.
Video of the Day: Iniestazo
Exactly 4 years ago we experienced one of the most amazing nights in the history of FC Barcelona. Most culés will probably never forget where they were, what they were doing, or how they celebrated Andrés Iniesta’s last minute equalizer at Stamford Bridge on May 6, 2009. Let’s once again cherish that sweet memory.
Player Reactions: Social media
Several players from FC Barcelona sent out messages to the fans via various social media mediums (Facebook, Twitter) following the defeat to Bayern Munich and resultant exit from the UEFA Champions League. Read their posts and tweets after the jump.
Player Reactions: Soundly beaten but not sour
FC Barcelona was well and soundly beaten by Bayern Munich over the two-legged semi-final. And while the players expressed the hurt, which was visible enough on the faces of most after the match (Gerard Piqué and Cesc Fàbregas in particular), they also tipped their caps to a worthy opponent and exited the tournament with humility and class. Much more after the jump.
Iniesta: “This is not the end”
FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta addressed the press on Thursday and spoke about how the team is coping with the setback endured in Germany earlier in the week. The result in Munich was obviously sobering, but Iniesta made it clear that the team would fight until the final whistle to progress to the Champions League final: “We have 90 minutes and we have to give it our all. I can’t promise you that we’ll score five goals, but we have to play as if the match was a matter of life and death, like a final.”
Iniesta equals Carles Rexach with 447 official appearances
The midfield magician that is Andrés Iniesta has equalled Carles Rexach in the FC Barcelona appearance hall of fame, with an astonishing 447 official appearances.
The La Liga game against Levante is when Iniesta reached the new mark, and he now has only team mates Victor Valdés, Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernández, plus ‘Tarzan” Migueli ahead of him in the all time list. More after the jump.
The future of Barça’s midfield in Thiago’s hands
For many years now, people have speculated over Xavi’s replacement. It’s well known that Xavi isn’t getting any younger, and as much as we’d all love for him to keep playing forever, his time on the field is coming closer to its end. Speaking of replacements, many have seen Cesc Fàbregas as one, many even think that he was brought from Arsenal to fill in for Xavi. During the last year or two, however, we’ve seen that Cesc is a very different player to Xavi. Luckily for us, we have another young La Masia graduate in the team who has loads of potential and looks likely to be able to fill Xavi’s shoes when the time is right. And that young midfielder goes by the name Thiago Alcântara.
The Messi factor
On Saturday night, Barça went out and trashed Mallorca 5-0. They did it without Messi, without Puyol, Xavi or even Busquets. Sure it was Mallorca and not Man United, Madrid or PSG. But still, it is one of many games that have proved that Barça is not dependent on one or a few players. Of course, Messi is important for Barça, but the team has never been dependent on him. There are games when he came to play from the bench and contributed to a winning result, changed the outcome of the game, like the other day against PSG or like that cold night in Ukraine against Shakhtar in 2008. Let’s make this clear: Barça without Messi wouldn’t collapse. The team isn’t built around Messi, it’s built to get the best out of Messi. The Barça style isn’t dependent on him.
Iniesta: “We will play as if it were a final”
Andrés Iniesta was confident ahead of FC Barcelona’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain, despite the numerous injuries affecting the squad. The midfielder assured the press that the team would go out to play as if it were a final, with the hope of being able to reach the final at Wembley this year.
Barça, Messi and Iniesta receive 2012 IFFHS awards
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) have acknowledged Messi, Iniesta and FC Barcelona for their performances in 2012.
Video: Andrés Iniesta – My Ground
Andrés Iniesta and Barça Alusport, the FC Barcel0na futsal team, are the main characters of this new Nike spot. Join Iniesta when he explains how his journey started in Fuentealbilla and how he developed his extraordinary skills.
Busquets: “We did it for ourselves”
Sergio Busquets met with the press following the team’s recovery work in the Ciutat Esportiva. He spoke about last night’s result, praising his teammates and addressing the criticism that has surrounded the club over the last few weeks.
Video of the Day: We believe!
Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Harnández, Cesc Fàbregas, Javier Mascherano… all of them declared this week that they believe FC Barcelona will defeat AC Milan on Tuesday.
Iniesta: “My duty is to play as well as I can”
Andrés Iniesta admitted during Wednesday’s press conference that the squad members are frustrated by their elimination in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid. “They beat us and we’re frustrated not to have won and to be missing out on the final. These things need to serve for there to be a reaction and for us to learn that nothing is easy and that we can lose.” He continued with reminding everyone that there is still a lot to fight for this season, saying that “the team has been having some very good years and deserves not to have to suffer for going out in the cup semifinals against a magnificent side like Madrid. And let’s not forget that we’re the league leaders and on Saturday we can expect another tough battle at the Bernabéu. We have to make sure we hold onto our lead.”
Pedro: “Milan is always dangerous”
FC Barcelona forward Pedro Rodríguez (25) sat down with the press ahead of Wednesday’s encounter with AC Milan in the Champions League. He was questioned about the form of several of his Barcelona teammates as well as his own and answered some questions about the current state of their Italian rivals. The player was quick to dispel any claims of Milan being a weaker side, showing nothing but respect for the Italians and caution.
Quote of the Day: Luis Garcia on Iniesta
“Iniesta is as good as Messi. What can you do when you’re up against two of the three best players in the world?”
Iniesta wins 2012 Best Athlete of the Year Award
Andrés Iniesta and Mireia Belmonte were the big winners at the 65th Grand Gala of El Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan sports daily. Iniesta was named the Best Male Athlete of 2012 and Belmonte was named the Best Female Athlete of 2012. During the gala, which was held at the Congressional Palace of Catalonia, Sergio Busquets was awarded with the Best Team Player trophy and Éric Abidal received the Extraordinary Repsol Award. The Barça players were accompanied by Sandro Rosell and a large part of the Board of Directors.
Player Reactions: Real Madrid 1-1 FC Barcelona
Yesterday’s 1-1 battle, which it was in every sense, was for my money not only the most entertaining heavyweight clash in La Liga, but throughout European football this season. Below are the reactions from select FC Barcelona players.
Andrés Iniesta: Stories from his life
Andrés Iniesta is not only one of the world’s best football players, finishing third in the most recent Ballon d’Or voting, he is also one of the most beloved footballers around the world. In fact, he is the only Barça player it is socially acceptable for a Madrid or Espanyol fan to like. But what makes him so popular? Why is Iniesta special in this way? To understand better what kind of a footballer and a person Andrés Iniesta is, here are a few anecdotes about his past that have undoubtedly shaped his present character.
Iniesta’s start at FC Barcelona was a tenuous one. The midfielder even later described his first months at La Masia as “hell”. Jorge Troiteiro, a footballer who shared a bunk-bed with the then 12-year-old Andrés, remembers that time well: “Most of the days he cried a bit, because he was away from his family. So, I joked to cheer him up. But the greatest thing for us was to see the Camp Nou from our window and we used to dream that one day we too would succeed there.” Success, however, would come earlier than Iniesta dreamed…
Iniesta: “Valdés is the best in the world”
Andrés Iniesta spoke to the press on Monday, ahead of FC Barcelona’s Copa del Rey fixture against Málaga CF. The conversation revolved around the decision of Victor Valdés not to renew his contract, as well as mentions of Guardiola, the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie, and Iniesta’s own future at the club. The Barcelona midfielder echoed the sentiments of Tito Vilanova and had nothing but praise for the 31-year-old goalkeeper.
“It will be difficult (to replace him), but that is the job of the club and the staff. Right now, I’m not thinking of alternatives or other goalkeepers. My goalkeeper is Victor and he’ll continue to be until the final day he is here. He continues to be our goalkeeper.”
Four Barça players in UEFA.com’s Team of the Year
Leo Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Gerard Piqué have been chosen for the 2012 Team of the Year on UEFA.com. This honor was determined by a total of 5.3 million votes, cast by nearly 500,000 people. In addition to the four blaugrana players, the 4-4-2 formation of the ideal XI was filled by four Real Madrid players (Casillas, Ramos, Özil, and Ronaldo), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/París Saint-Germain) and Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
Stat of the Day: Three suits!
Catalan daily Sport has reported on the cost of the suits worn by the three Ballon d’Or finalists, Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta. The details are fascinating:
- Ronaldo’s suit: 3,500 Euros
- Messi’s suit: 1,400 Euros
- Iniesta’s suit: 236 Euros
Stats: @sidlowe • Image: Fox Soccer
Lionel Messi wins 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or
Well, it’s official. Lionel Messi is the FIFA Ballon d’Or Best Male Footballer of 2012, beating out teammate Andrés Iniesta and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
FIFA Ballon d’Or press conference
The press conferences preceding the actual FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Switzerland concluded just a few hours ago. Below are excepts from nominees Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Josep Guardiola.
Poll: FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012
On Monday 7th January 2013, the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012 will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala.
In addition to the FIFA Ballon d’Or, a number of other awards will also be presented, including the Women’s World Player of the Year, the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football, FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award, the FIFA Presidential Award, and the FIFA Fair Play Award.
