Football legend Andrés Iniesta has made the decision to retire from active football after 2 decades of professional football.
He was famous for his on-field connection with Xavi Hernandez and Lionel Messi at Barcelona, as well as his top-notch performances that helped Spain go from underachieving to becoming a dominant force.
From scoring memorable goals to creating magic to winning multiple awards, here are the 5 most iconic Andrés Iniesta moments:
World Cup winning goal (2010)
Iniesta’s highlight came in the 116th minute of the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
In a tense match, Iniesta latched onto a pass from Cesc Fàbregas, kept his cool and fired the ball past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Indeed, the goal helped Spain win the first ever World Cup trophy and etched Iniesta’s name in football history.
His iconic celebration, taking off his shirt to reveal a tribute to his late friend Dani Jarque, added emotional depth to this unforgettable moment.
“Iniestazo” against Chelsea (2009)
In the 2009 Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, Barcelona was on the verge of elimination. With seconds remaining on the clock, Andrés Iniesta produced a moment of pure magic.
He received the ball outside the box, cut inside and fired a perfectly placed shot that beat Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.
Thus, the goal propelled Barcelona to the final on away goals, where they beat Manchester United and won the Champions League.
2010 UEFA Best Player Award
Iniesta’s crowning achievement after his World Cup triumph was winning UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award for 2010.
His performances throughout the year, notably in the World Cup final, were instrumental in Barcelona’s dominance and Spain’s success.
UEFA Euro 2012 Player of the Tournament
Andrés Iniesta played a key role in Spain’s successful defense of their European title in 2012.
His vision, passing and ability to create chances were crucial to Spain’s dominance throughout the tournament.
Iniesta was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances, cementing his status as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Farewell to Camp Nou (2018)
After 16 years at Barcelona, he announced his departure from the club in 2018. His farewell match at Camp Nou was a fitting tribute to his legendary career.
The stadium was filled with emotional fans who chanted his name and applauded his every move.
Andrés Iniesta scored a goal and provided an assist as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0.
The match was a celebration of the star’s incredible contributions to the club and a bittersweet farewell to one of the greatest players of his generation.
