Everything that has a beginning must also have an end sadly, Spain`s finest, Andre Iniesta has announced his retirement from football six years after quitting the international stage, this marks the end of a glittering career which is filled with so many trophies and milestones. Iniesta was famously part of the La Masia academy players in the golden generation that transformed football and claimed every available trophy competed both at club and the international level.
He retired at the age of 40 after twenty-two years of actively imprinting world class artistry on our footballing consciousness, he was a work of art uniquely crafted, a copy of ingenuity that can be replicated but its originality always immutable and eternally etched in history.
The best expression of his footballing genius was transmitted by another football god Messi, whom he was runner up to in 2010 in the Ballon d`Or, when he sent a heartfelt wish on Instagram after stating that Iniesta was one of the most magical teammates, and one of those I enjoyed playing with the most he went further by dropping a classic the ball is going to miss you, and so will all of us. I wish you the best always, you`re a phenomenon.
The boy from Fuentealbilla will always be associated with a trio of history defining midfield super stars that ruled the world, in the previous past the triumvirate that comes to mind was, Van Basten,Gullit and Rijkaard, the Dutch trio helped the Netherlands win the European championship in Munich in 1988, and joined forces with Milan to redefine club football, winning the coveted European cup back to back 1989 and 1990 with other achievements that can only be described as legendary.
Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets went several steps further claiming Spain’s first world cup, European football`s first back to back championship titles stopping Germany in 2008 and Italy in 2012, two of the greatest European sides in history, at the club level it was with the same ruthlessness, they teamed up with Messi to win the champions league four more times which included winning the treble twice, Iniesta won La Liga 9 times. When it seems that they will be no headway such as in the world cup finals against the Dutch, masters of producing creative geniuses and world class systems, he provided the all-important goal just like he did in the previous year against Chelsea, both were scored towards the end of the game, both goals each represented the high light of his club and international career, defining progress and enabling them to reach those heights that can only be reserved for the greatest sides. The Barcelona team that won the champions league that season critically acclaimed the greatest team by leading historians. He always stepped up, his silky skills and close control reminiscent of another legend Zidane and his humility set him apart, always allowing his feet do the talking, hardly enmeshed in controversies, never collected a red card. It was significant that internationally they defeated the best, in the world cup finals it was as if history was replacing the past with the future the Dutch were renowned for breathing total football in its finest form, the Spanish are now famous for remodeling it, with something better, more refined and new-tiki taka with Iniesta especially, dictating the tempo and administering the finishing when it became very difficult. his world cup goal in the final match was dedicated to a friend and former junior international player Dani Jarque, these superlative performances enabled him to be selected in the three-tournament winning all-star teams in Spain`s dominant four years reign which also included several man of the match awards. it is noteworthy to mention that he is the only man in the history books to win the man of the match award in a world cup, European championship and the UEFA Champions league finals.
History remembers him as the greatest Spanish player ever even if it is not yet established like Zidane`s status in France, he will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders of all time mentioned in the same breath with other immortals such as Maradona, Platini and even Cruyff. For the records he is the most decorated player in Spanish history with 35 trophies which still does not do enough to the immense contribution to football and humanity, he was an advocate of mental health after suffering from depression, it made him stronger emphasing that hard times will only give way to better times if handled with strength and humility, a necessity to overcome such setbacks, such deep convictions are a solution to life`s challenges.
He started way back playing wherever he could from the school play grounds and the various streets in his home town where he developed according to him an essence, a feel which allowed his intuition to led him, this sort of explains his ability to read and interpret movement, control and other aspects of the game faster than his opponents, like a super grand master that anticipates several moves ahead of time, such practice helped in producing such great maneuver and sublime technique which we have come to appreciate, he made the move la Croqueta popular, which was introduced by the Danish player Michael Laudrup who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid and even Ajax, a move that enabled him gain freedom in tight spaces by shifting the ball from his right foot to his left taking it away from his opponent. He also had several high-profile coaches that shaped his career such as Guardiola, Enrique, Louis Van Gaal, Rijkaard, Vincent Del Bosque a roll call of great masterminds, these were trends of success competitively, the intense rivalries with other outstanding teams and their coaches especially the El Classico also added to his learning and development with his personality refined in the finest way. He was just not privileged to be around a golden era he was also a privilege for that era, his application, work ethic, passion and personality wrapped into Iniesta the great, that will be celebrated for a very long time.
Iniesta is stepping aside but hopefully will be expected to step back either as a great coach like Zidane or in other capacity to enrich us and further provide a framework and heritage for football. While he is still trying to process his next set of moves like a chess player, we will sit back and enjoy those wonderful memories and sportsmanship he has left behind. This year will be remembered for the exit of Spain`s finest.
