Player of the Season nominees: Andres Iniesta

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There are names in the game of football that symbolize unfathomable popularity and remain synonymous with lifelong eminence. Many are known for their quality on field but few define their incredibility beyond the green turf. They take it to a level that we fanatics label as “The Spirit of the Game”. While it is arguably true that many players belong to that category, there remains an unscathed dominator. His name is Andres Iniesta Lugan, predominantly known by his middle name.

But just how good is this gentleman? Playing in a national team loaded with superstars and in a club with possibly the greatest player of our generation, Andres Iniesta expounds his attainment in a rather modest way. There are legends that are always flashed on the news channels for their brilliance. And there are legends that don’t need the limelight but still carry out the business. Not to say that the first category cannot belong to the second, but Andres Iniesta shows us best by belonging to the latter.

Why is Iniesta revered?

In the final of the 2010 World Cup, Spain edged out Netherlands to lift that elusive piece of marvel designed by Silvio Gazzaniga. The outcome could have been different but Iniesta begged to differ. In one of his several key performances, Andres Iniesta slotted home Spain’s winner through a 116^th minute setup by Spain’s renowned “tika-taka” form of football. The goal did matter but for several Spanish football fans across the world, his celebration made it even more worthy. Despite earning a yellow card for taking his shirt off, Iniesta revealed his undershirt that read “Dani Jarque: always with us” (when translated in English). Jarque and Iniesta were childhood friends, starting from the Spanish Youth to U-21 squads. Unfortunately, Dani Jarque passed away from a heart attack in August 2009, for which Iniesta dedicated his winner to. Jarque represented Barcelona’s cross-city rivals, RCB Espanyol. While the rivalry between these clubs cannot be called into question, the Catalan felt it wouldn’t be more apt than having the undershirt from his World Cup winning celebration on display at Espanyol. The token of dedication will remain forever a vocal sense of tribute and non-materialistic friendship. Each and every time F.C. Barcelona, plays at Espanyol’s Estadi Cornella-El Prat, only one player in the famous blue and red is welcomed ceremoniously. We know who that is.

How was 2012-13 for Iniesta?

2012-13 began most befittingly for Andres Iniesta. He was named as the Player of the Tournament in Euro 2012 where his performances proved vital in Spain’s successful defense of their crown from 2008. The tournament saw Iniesta muster three “Man of the Match” performances, including the final against Italy.

Despite all the success that loomed around his venerated aura after Euro 2012, Iniesta still remained the same person: quiet, composed and rhythmic – three qualities among the infinite parameters that mark out Iniesta. He never let the seasonal applaud get to his head. He knew his job wasn’t finished as he headed back to Catalonia to begin Barcelona’s 2012-13 campaign to retain the La Liga title from their biggest rivals, Real Madrid.

The Barcelona season of 2012-13 was not poor for Iniesta by any standards. Despite an injury in early September, Iniesta came back strong with an early goal against Celtic in the Champions League and one more in a 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves in the first leg of Copa Del Ray. There were several more instances in 2012-13 where the genius of Andres Iniesta prevailed once again. He took to the field accepting any challenge that came his way, producing a magical display. One such crucial display was against AC Milan at the Camp Nou in the second leg of the Champions League. He provided an assist which helped kick-start Barcelona’s comeback from a 2-0 first leg deficit – the greatest such in UCL’s history.

The situation on the field was not any different from 2011-12 for Iniesta. When the ball landed at Iniesta’s feet, defenders flocked around him, anticipating his trickery to dumbfound them. The modest man, like always, denied constant claims throughout the season that his feet were supernatural but is it a mere coincidence that he keeps repeating such unworldly performances on the turf? Rightfully, he was named in the shortlist of three players in the running for the Ballon D’Or and finished in the Squad of the Year.

He wasn’t silent for Spain either. His prowess ensured Spain’s smooth sailing towards qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the matter wasn’t different in an International friendly either. In a match against Panama, his two assists set the tone for a 5-0 Spanish rout. A regular in the Spanish squad, Iniesta’s leadership and comprehension of the game better those around him. Like Fernando Torres once exclaimed, not many see Iniesta perform poorly.

This past season illustrated a new role for Andres Iniesta as well. From a more goal scoring mentality under Pep Guardiola, he had to adapt to a more playmaker sort of role under the new Vilanova system. He didn’t fail. At the end of the season, his statistics read 19 assists and 6 goals in all competitions for Barcelona, with a contributive 3 assists and 1 goal for Spain. His 16 assists in La Liga saw him end the season with more assists than any player. The statistics were not as monstrous as 2011-12 for Andres Iniesta where he was voted as UEFA’s 2011-12 European Player of the Year. However, it was safe to bet that Barcelona needed its midfield maestro in full throttle in order to function efficiently. When Iniesta didn’t show up, Barcelona struggled miserably, like the ruination against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey.

What to expect in the coming season?

2013-14 will be a tough season for Andres Iniesta and Barcelona. Coming off a scrutinized 2012-13, they were bullied out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich and only managed to seal the La Liga as their sole crown. Real Madrid will be spending extravagantly to bridge the gap between the two El Clasico rivals and several teams in the Europe are in the running to land top quality players. Coach Tito Vilanova will need his players going all guns blazing come this August. And he sure can expect Iniesta to lead the way.

Iniesta does have a big job on his hands, leading Barcelona and Spain in 2013-14. While stories and predictions have already begun to script about the domestic season, Iniesta’s first focus will be ensuring Spain’s successful path to victory in the Confederations Cup. After a lack-luster 2009 campaign where they finished a disappointing third, Spain will look forward to better their result this time around in Brazil. If Spain manages to win its first Confederations Cup this time around, it might prove to be the right encouragement for Iniesta heading into 2013-14 for Barcelona.

Click here to view the rest of the Player of the Season nominees