40 Fascinating facts about Andrés Iniesta

Here are 40 facts about Andrés Iniesta, highlighting his incredible journey from a youth player to one of football’s most celebrated midfielders:

Early Life and Career

1. Full Name: Andrés Iniesta Luján.
2. Date of Birth: May 11, 1984.
3. Place of Birth: Fuentealbilla, Spain.
4. Youth Clubs: Started at Albacete Balompié before moving to FC Barcelona’s La Masia.
5. Barcelona Debut: Made his first-team debut on December 21, 2002. 

Club Achievements with FC Barcelona

6. La Liga Titles: Won nine La Liga championships.
7. Copa del Rey Victories: Contributed to six Copa del Rey wins.
8. Spanish Super Cups: Secured seven Spanish Super Cups.
9. UEFA Champions League Titles: Part of the team for four Champions League victories. 
10. FIFA Club World Cups: Won three FIFA Club World Cups. 
11. UEFA Super Cups: Achieved three UEFA Super Cup titles. 
12. Final Barcelona Appearance: His last game for Barcelona was on May 20, 2018. 
13. Total Barcelona Appearances: Made 674 appearances. 

Move to Vissel Kobe

14. Vissel Kobe Signing: Joined the Japanese club Vissel Kobe on May 24, 2018. 
15. First Goal for Vissel Kobe: Scored his first goal in the J1 League on August 11, 2018. 
16. 2019 Emperor’s Cup: Scored in the semi-final and won his first trophy in Japan. 
17. 2020 Japanese Super Cup: Added another trophy to his cabinet with Vissel Kobe. 
18. Contract Extension: Signed a two-year contract extension in May 2021. 

International Career with Spain

19. Youth Success: Won Under-16 and Under-19 UEFA championships. 
20. Senior Team Debut: Made his Spain debut on May 27, 2006. 
21. 2010 World Cup: Scored the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands. 
22. Euro 2008 & 2012: Key player in Spain’s victorious Euro campaigns. 
23. International Retirement: Retired from international football after the 2018 World Cup. 
24. Total Caps for Spain: Earned 133 caps. 

Personal Life and Off-Field Contributions

25. Family: Married to Anna Ortiz, with whom he has three children. 
26. Philanthropy: Supported victims of the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake. 
27. Investment in Albacete: Became its major shareholder with a €420,000 investment. 
28. Mental Health Advocacy: Openly discussed his battle with depression. 

Style of Play and Legacy

29. Playing Style: Renowned for his vision, ball control, and passing. 
30. Nicknames: Known as “El Ilusionista” and “El Cerebro” among others. 
31. Awards: Named UEFA’s Best Player in Europe for 2011–12. 
32. Leadership: Despite a reserved personality, known for his leadership on the field. 

Recognition and Honors

33. FIFA World Cup Final MOTM: Man of the Match in the 2010 final. 
34. UEFA Euro Best Player: Best Player of the Tournament at Euro 2012. 
35. FIFA Ballon d’Or: Runner-up behind Lionel Messi. 
36. Respect from Opponents: Received standing ovations from opposition fans. 

Miscellaneous

37. Lifestyle: Known for his humility and avoidance of the limelight. 
38. Influence: Praised by Zinedine Zidane for his impact on Spain’s game. 
39. Career Appearances: Over 450 club appearances. 
40. Legacy: Considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. 

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