Wolfie
10 years ago
Edited
van Gaal is great from bringing young players through to 1st team. I'm sure he'll do the same at ManU after the WC too.
Was wondering.. "I weigh only 63 pounds " That's like 32 kg.. haha Doubt Iniesta is that light..
Showing previous versions of this text.
van Gaal is great from bringing young players through to 1st team. I'm sure he'll do the sam a ManU after the WC too.
Was wondering.. "I weigh only 63 pounds " That's like 32 kg.. haha Doubt Iniesta is that light..
van Gaal is great from bringing young players through to 1st team. I'm sure he'll do the same at ManU afte the WC too.
Was wondering.. "I weigh only 63 pounds " That's like 32 kg.. haha Doubt Iniesta is that light..
In September 1996 a typical Spanish family has
to make a big decision. The son must leave the warmth of the house and spread
his wings at a very young age.
Fuentealbilla, the small town in which Andres Iniesta was born is about 500
kilometres far from Barcelona. Not short for a twelve year old child, but not
large enough to prevent him from his dream of becoming a professional
footballer.
Earlier, young Andres traveled every Saturday to Albacete in order to attend
the matches of his favorite team, who then played in La Liga. A tournament in
which he participated in 1996 in Brunette, area next to Madrid, had attracted
the interest of many scouts who worked on behalf of the biggest clubs of the
country.Barca was lucky as the acquaintance of his father with a coach from the
academies of Catalan, the Vasco Enrique Orizaola, led Andres in the lap of
the greatest school in the world,that of La Masia.Nothing was easy though.
The family was worried but his father is sure that the bases that Andres has
gotten from his home, could help him. Furthermore he knows that in the La Masia academy education
is equally, if not more important, than the football evolution of a kid. His
son, however, despite the exhortations of his dad refuses to join La Masia.However
the trip to Barcelona finally begun with the Ford Orion,the family’s car.
“During the trip we stopped to eat on the
street but no one ate. My mom cried, my dad said he was not hungry and my
grandfather was trying to calm us all.”[Andres Iniesta]
The adaptation of Andresito is not easy. The opposite.Being petite and short, he
becomes victim of much teasing from other peers, most of whom come from the
region of Catalonia.
“La Masia is a place where many children
live together, but in fact you're alone. But you become stronger day by day,
knowing that behind you there is always another one ready to take your place.
Waking up in the morning, I saw opposite the Camp Nou and say: will i ever
manage to play there?” [Andres Iniesta]”
Feeling alone and unprotected, He gets
disappointed and starts thinking of giving up. In Masia though there is another
equally shy child, but husky and nervous,who gets close to our current hero and
starts hanging out with,protect him and prevent others from teasing him. His name is Victor Valdes. The two will be
inseparable in the following years.
In 1999, in a tournament of Nike, Andres shines with the U-15 team of Barca. Pep
Guardiola after attending the match is stunned. In the end,Pep gives sign him an autograph and writes”to the best player I've ever seen in my life!” - Shortly after
speaking to Xavi he will say*-“You can
make me hang up my boots , but one day
Iniesta will make you hang up yours!”
*Three years later, in October 2002 will make his debut with the first team,
under the direction of Luis Van Gaal.One year after his debut Andresito signed
his first professional contract but Luis Van Gaal was already replaced by Frank
Rijkaard. Many
accused the Dutchman that he was late to establish Iniesta in the starting Eleven
but some of the greatest coaches in the history of the club, now agree that the
way he handled the development of
Iniesta, was exemplary and helped much Andres who had to wait patiently because
in the team there was the great Ludovic Giuly.
In combination with the presence of Deco, Ronaldinho's magic and most of all
his own humility, his skills initially passed in the back burner. Only the eyes
of the best observers watch the amazing
skills with the ball at his feet.
“You ask me then how I do the one, how I
do the other ….But you have not seen what Iniesta does in the training”
Ronaldinho warned in the end of 2004.
In the Champions League final in Paris in 2006, Iniesta passes on the field as
a substitution at the beginning of the 2nd half.His contribution is decisive in
the Catalan's attempt to come back from the 1-0 against them.Giuly leaves
Barcelona in 2007 and Iniesta receives the number 8. Now he is one of the team
stars, but he does not score that often
and universal acceptance has not come yet.
Missing a great achievement that will boost and
establish him in the mind of every football fan.That achievement occurs in the summer of 2008 in the face of
the man who believed him since he was a child.
Pep Guardiola was appointed head coach of
Barcelona and his own Barca begin to change the terms of football.In this team
Andres Iniesta has a prominent place.
In a normal team with specific roles, as was the Catalans on the Rijkaard era,
Iniesta seemed trapped. In the team of Pep his career reached the peak along
with the other stars.
Roaming from positions, The
passing game and the stunning collaboration (mainly) with Xavi and Messi, make
the fans be looking for a second pair of eyes to enjoy more the spectacle. 17
days before the final of the Champions League in Rome in 2009, Iniesta got injured
in the championship match against Villarreal.
Pep addressed to the medical staff: “Andres will play in Rome. Find the way”
That showed how much he was relying on him.
2 Years later the player said on his own: “ *I
only played a half in Paris,I couldn’t stand to miss the Rome final too.My huge
desire to play had consequences on the future but it was worth it. I'd do it
again if needed”
*Iniesta generally throughout his career did not score much, has the happiness
to achieve 2 goals of huge importance in two different time periods. The first in the semifinal of CL 2009 and then the
second with the jersey of the Spanish national team, where the low profile
Andresito, turned into “Don Andres”.
His goal was to be the only one in the world cup
final! The recognition had now outgrown the limits of Catalonia and the Barca
supporters across the land and had become universal.
This fact reinforced by his move after achieving the above mentioned goal, as
Iniesta lifted his shirt to reveal a message (DANI JARQUE SIEMPRE CON NOSOTROS)
for Dani Jarque,the captain of Espanyol(Barcelona’s fierce rival).
Entire Spain bowed to the greatness of his soul. At the same time no blaugrana
did not say anything about this, his move.
Since then Andresito became fan favourite for Espanyols fan,while his signed
jersey graces the new Cornilla el Prat.Let alone he is the only player of Barca
who is not being booed from the fans during the Catalan Derby.
A man who never has,
never sought personal view, but always worked quietly and tirelessly, away from
the spotlight!
An incident
that occurred after the mundial. Andres was in a bar when he was approached by
a woman. He thought that he wanted an autograph.
Thinking about how I could describe to
my children, what type of player Iniesta was, I confess that I find it too
difficult. Let's see what he says about himself.
“- Before i get the ball, I have already
seen what my options are. And when I get it, I like to go towards an opponent
and just stand in front of him. I'm not trying to go through him the though. So the rest of the
team can push higher.
*- Each ball is important. After playing together
for years, I know at any moment where
Leo and Xavi will be .
The short passes help you to build your next good chance. Even if you're the best passer in the world, if
you do not know where your teammates are, is irrelevant.
If you hold the ball too, will surely
lose it sooner or later. The
best passer are the ones who are quick at thinking.
-I weigh only 63 pounds so almost always I play against stronger opponents.I
face them by keeping the right distances and I make sure we never claim the
same ball.I must reach the ball before
them.
I'm not a scorer, but I always attempt to score and I always try the most
difficult choice Because if it is difficult for me, then it is for the keeper
too!
Guardiola and Michael Laudrup. Those were my idols when I was younger”*
**PS.A part2 with Iniesta's weaknesses,strenghts,stats,honours,achievements,quotes on him etc will come soon.
P.S1. THANKS for reading and i hope you enjoy it.
INIESTA YOU ARE A GENIUS MAN!!**
In September 1996 a typical Spanish family has
to make a big decision. The son must leave the warmth of the house and spread
his wings at a very young age.
Fuentealbilla, the small town in which Andres Iniesta was born is about 500
kilometres far from Barcelona. Not short for a twelve year old child, but not
large enough to prevent him from his dream of becoming a professional
footballer.
Earlier, young Andres traveled every Saturday to Albacete in order to attend
the matches of his favorite team, who then played in La Liga. A tournament in
which he participated in 1996 in Brunette, area next to Madrid, had attracted
the interest of many scouts who worked on behalf of the biggest clubs of the
country.Barca was lucky as the acquaintance of his father with a coach from the
academies of Catalan, the Vasco Enrique Orizaola, led by Andres in the lap of
the greatest school in the world,that of La Masia.Nothing was easy though.
The family was worried but his father is sure that the bases that Andres has
gotten from his home, could help him. Furthermore he knows that in the La Masia academy education
is equally, if not more important, than the football evolution of a kid. His
son, however, despite the exhortations of his dad refuses to join La Masia.However
the trip to Barcelona finally begun with the Ford Orion,the family’s car.
“During the trip we stopped to eat on the
street but no one ate. My mom cried, my dad said he was not hungry and my
grandfather was trying to calm us all.”[Andres Iniesta]
The adaptation of Andresito is not easy. The opposite.Being petite and short, he
becomes victim of much teasing from other peers, most of whom come from the
region of Catalonia.
“La Masia is a place where many children
live together, but in fact you're alone. But you become stronger day by day,
knowing that behind you there is always another one ready to take your place.
Waking up in the morning, I saw opposite the Camp Nou and say: will i ever
manage to play there?” [Andres Iniesta]”
Feeling alone and unprotected, He gets
disappointed and starts thinking of giving up. In Masia though there is another
equally shy child, but husky and nervous,who gets close to our current hero and
starts hanging out with,protect him and prevent others from teasing him. His name is Victor Valdes. The two will be
inseparable in the following years.
In 1999, in a tournament of Nike, Andres shines with the U-15 team of Barca. Pep
Guardiola after attending the match is stunned. In the end,Pep gives sign him an autograph and writes”to the best player I've ever seen in my life!” - Shortly after
speaking to Xavi he will say*-“You can
make me hang up my boots , but one day
Iniesta will make you hang up yours!”
*Three years later, in October 2002 will make his debut with the first team,
under the direction of Luis Van Gaal.One year after his debut Andresito signed
his first professional contract but Luis Van Gaal was already replaced by Frank
Rijkaard. Many
accused the Dutchman that he was late to establish Iniesta in the starting Eleven
but some of the greatest coaches in the history of the club, now agree that the
way he handled the development of
Iniesta, was exemplary and helped much Andres who had to wait patiently because
in the team there was the great Ludovic Giuly.
In combination with the presence of Deco, Ronaldinho's magic and most of all
his own humility, his skills initially passed in the back burner. Only the eyes
of the best observers watch the amazing
skills with the ball at his feet.
“You ask me then how I do the one, how I
do the other ….But you have not seen what Iniesta does in the training”
Ronaldinho warned in the end of 2004.
In the Champions League final in Paris in 2006, Iniesta passes on the field as
a substitution at the beginning of the 2nd half.His contribution is decisive in
the Catalan's attempt to come back from the 1-0 against them.Giuly leaves
Barcelona in 2007 and Iniesta receives the number 8. Now he is one of the team
stars, but he does not score that often
and universal acceptance has not come yet.
Missing a great achievement that will boost and
establish him in the mind of every football fan.That achievement occurs in the summer of 2008 in the face of
the man who believed him since he was a child.
Pep Guardiola was appointed head coach of
Barcelona and his own Barca begin to change the terms of football.In this team
Andres Iniesta has a prominent place.
In a normal team with specific roles, as was the Catalans on the Rijkaard era,
Iniesta seemed trapped. In the team of Pep his career reached the peak along
with the other stars.
Roaming from positions, The
passing game and the stunning collaboration (mainly) with Xavi and Messi, make
the fans be looking for a second pair of eyes to enjoy more the spectacle. 17
days before the final of the Champions League in Rome in 2009, Iniesta got injured
in the championship match against Villarreal.
Pep addressed to the medical staff: “Andres will play in Rome. Find the way”
That showed how much he was relying on him.
2 Years later the player said on his own: “ *I
only played a half in Paris,I couldn’t stand to miss the Rome final too.My huge
desire to play had consequences on the future but it was worth it. I'd do it
again if needed”
*Iniesta generally throughout his career did not score much, has the happiness
to achieve 2 goals of huge importance in two different time periods. The first in the semifinal of CL 2009 and then the
second with the jersey of the Spanish national team, where the low profile
Andresito, turned into “Don Andres”.
His goal was to be the only one in the world cup
final! The recognition had now outgrown the limits of Catalonia and the Barca
supporters across the land and had become universal.
This fact reinforced by his move after achieving the above mentioned goal, as
Iniesta lifted his shirt to reveal a message (DANI JARQUE SIEMPRE CON NOSOTROS)
for Dani Jarque,the captain of Espanyol(Barcelona’s fierce rival).
Entire Spain bowed to the greatness of his soul. At the same time no blaugrana
did not say anything about this, his move.
Since then Andresito became fan favourite for Espanyols fan,while his signed
jersey graces the new Cornilla el Prat.Let alone he is the only player of Barca
who is not being booed from the fans during the Catalan Derby.
A man who never has,
never sought personal view, but always worked quietly and tirelessly, away from
the spotlight!
An incident
that occurred after the mundial. Andres was in a bar when he was approached by
a woman. He thought that he wanted an autograph.
Thinking about how I could describe to
my children, what type of player Iniesta was, I confess that I find it too
difficult. Let's see what he says about himself.
“- Before i get the ball, I have already
seen what my options are. And when I get it, I like to go towards an opponent
and just stand in front of him. I'm not trying to go through him the though. So the rest of the
team can push higher.
*- Each ball is important. After playing together
for years, I know at any moment where
Leo and Xavi will be .
The short passes help you to build your next good chance. Even if you're the best passer in the world, if
you do not know where your teammates are, is irrelevant.
If you hold the ball too, will surely
lose it sooner or later. The
best passer are the ones who are quick at thinking.
-I weigh only 63 pounds so almost always I play against stronger opponents.I
face them by keeping the right distances and I make sure we never claim the
same ball.I must reach the ball before
them.
I'm not a scorer, but I always attempt to score and I always try the most
difficult choice Because if it is difficult for me, then it is for the keeper
too!
Guardiola and Michael Laudrup. Those were my idols when I was younger”*
**PS.A part2 with Iniesta's weaknesses,strenghts,stats,honours,achievements,quotes on him etc will come soon.
P.S1. THANKS for reading and i hope you enjoy it.
INIESTA YOU ARE A GENIUS MAN!!**