“On a personal level, those are special achievements,” says Andrés Iniesta Sky Sports. It refers to its Match Player Awards in the 2010 World Cup final, the final of the 2012 European Championship and the 2015 Champions League final. Do you think?
This is the closest that Iniesta comes to talk. It is part of the reason why the legendary midfielder of Barcelona and Spain is so dear. In an era in which the impudence seems to prevail in so many areas of life, its remains a discreet genius.
Only his 116 -minute winner in that World Cup final dedicated himself not to his own glory but to the memory of another. The revelation of Iniesta’s shirt honored her friend, the captain of Espanyol, Dani Jarque, who had died after a heart attack the previous summer.
Andrés Iniesta celebrates her winning world cup bearer for Spain in 2010
The second of his triptych had Neith a goal or assistance. Iniesta’s late replacement, Juan Mata, even scored in a minute in the end of Spain’s 4-0 victory over Italy in 2012. It was still obvious that Iniesta had been the outstanding player.
A 106 goals record in 1016 professional football matches reveals something about his longevity, but, for an attacker midfielder, he barely hints the level of his influence and tells us nothing about what man shone in the brilliant test in the brilliant test of this man.
How could he produce in those finals? Perhaps it is what raised his level, intervening when he is required to direct these games in his own way. Or maybe others dropped their level under intense pressure, while he could keep his.
Do you have an explanation for this himself? “Well, it’s a bit of everything,” explains Iniesta. “It is that responsibility, that mentality, that desire to play in this type of matches, that confidence in yourself, that determination to do your job.”
Hello pauses. “Fortunately, I had the opportunity to win those finals.”
Maybe. But well, he also created those opportunities.
The most or less, hey, when lover of the World Cup winner in South Africa. But there was also the pass before the pass to begin the defeat of Italy two years later and then the assistance for the opening goal in Juventus in that final of the Champions League in Berlin.
“They are special matches because you never play in those situations normally, but to do it naturally, the same routines, the same things, so as not to exert more pressure on yourself,” he adds. Management of the pressure of a final would seem key.
Having fun with football could be equally important. “Above all, enjoy that moment, enjoy people, remember your family, the people who always support you.” Couldn’t that weigh someone? Not in the world of Iniesta. “It’s a time to be very happy.”
Andrés Iniesta offers the champions League trophy to Munich (Credit: Fedex)
Iniesta is talking to Sky Sports In Munich as part of his role as Fedex ambassador, UEFA Champions League sponsors. His role, like some who or delivered at the great moments, is literally delivering the trophy to the host city Bávara.
It is well appealed by the crowds, still revered. Althegh, out of the countryside, cuts a slightly uncomfortable figure in the center of attention and one wonders how he is finding retirement as he finally called Time in his long career in autumn. Iniesta turned 41 this month.
But he remains closely connected to the game. It is still a supporter of Barcelona, Lamine Yamal’s conversations and her “unique talent”, while confessing that he has an interest in Paris Saint-Germain, surpassing Internal in the final due to his friends in the PSG.
Iniesta has history with both clubs. The last time the trophy intervened was in 2010 when José Mourinho’s team defeated Barça de Pep Guardiola in a tense semifinal. Iniesta lost both legs due to injuries. “At that time, it was spread accepting,” he admits.
That Barça team is perhaps considered the best of all, winning the Champions League the previous season and the later season. But a cloud of volcanic ashes forced them to travel to Milan by bus for the first leg. “Things happen in football that you cannot control.”
As for PSG, those memories are more pleasant, although after losing 4-0 in Paris in 2017. “That was difficult. But the return was one of those crazy games.” Barça won 6-1 at Camp Nou to progress. “It was one of those nights that you will always remember.”
Luis Enrique was the coach of Barcelona that day and one of the aforementioned friends to which Iniesta’s referents who are now in the French club. Winning the Champions League with a second team would help consolidate its legacy: an Iniesta legacy believes it deserves.
“He is a special coach. I have met him as a teammate and as a coach and has a unique talent. He is an incredible worker. He knows how to transmit his ideas to others, he knows how to convince. And he has a good thing to play.”
Of course, the same certificate on Iniesta is said. Today, after retirement, he puts his energies in his academy and what is called ‘the iniesta methodology’. Fundamentally, this focuses on the importance of development not only on better players but also on better people.
“I think football is a spectacular way to do it,” he says. “I had the opportunity to make a career as a footballer and this is a way of transmitting that path and its values for the youngest. The children who are growing now, are the future.”
Iniesta’s days are in the past. And yet, he endures as a symbol. Physically, he was the fastest or the strongest. Mentally, he has open bones about his battles with depression and anxiety. But he showed us everything that is another way to win.
Fedex is an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League
Andrés Iniesta offers the champions League trophy to Munich (Credit: Fedex)
Sky Sports will show 215 PL games live next season
Look more Premier League games at Sky Sports Ever with 215 live games of the 2025/26 season of the Premier League
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And 80 percent of all televised games of the League Prime Minister next season are on Sky Sports.
