Andrés Iniesta

[Andrew M]

Rakitic has 17 goals in 2 seasons, 9 of which opening goals. 10 assists last year, 6 this year. His role is often much deeper, almost as a second DM and relies a lot more on what Messi's doing than Iniesta. Sure the CMs defend, but you can't just act like they never attack - they do - and more often than not Andres provides very little. I find him to be more effective in the middle third than the final one where he can't shoot or provide a killer ball.

Rakitic has verticality in his play. He makes run from deep which are important. Iniesta, however, has different qualities and has never been a stat whore. Some of the best mids don't have great stats. Modric too.

 

[Jamie Cal]

Rakitic has verticality in his play. He makes run from deep which are important. Iniesta, however, has different qualities and has never been a stat whore. Some of the best mids don't have great stats. Modric too.

True enough but goals+assists aside he still doesn't offer us much of anything where Modric is crucial to Madrid.

 

[El Flaco]

Happy Birthday Iniesta!

 

[Barcaman]

Happy birthday legend!

Thank you for your magic and your humility and being a role-model and everything that Barca stands for!

 

[Total-Football]

H Birthday pale faced killer.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Happy Birthday Legend

 

[Butaan4barca]

Happy birthday Happy feet.

 

[kobby]

Favourite player of all time. The Postmaster---because he always delivers. The Pale face assassin. The greatest player to never win the Ballon D'or. Happy birthday Don Andres! I will shed a few man-tears the day you retire.

 

[Barcaman]

From Van Gaal, Rijkaard, Pep, Tito and Lucho. When I see him I remember what this club stood for. I remember Van Gaal trusting all those young boys and Iniesta and being patient when few would endure it. I remember Rijkaard and Iniesta in CL Final when he stepped in for injured Xavi. All those tiki-taka moments under Pep and ultimate validation of his style. And finally, Iniesta being modest man that he is, sacrifying himself in a more defensive role under Lucho to accommodate Neymar.

This is the guy who Barca fans need to look up to and it saddens me to see that all those traits are being forgotten now and superficial crap is becoming more and more dominant and slowly ruining the values of Barca.

 

[Messi983]

The one and only. Happy birthday, Don Andres.

 

[bismp]

Happy Birthday Don!

 

[ini4ever]

When he retires i'll shed tears for sure, and then i'll be left with some videos of him to reduce the pain of not seeing on the pitch lol, btw.. Happy birthday Don.

 

[Messi983]

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[dakt]

From Van Gaal, Rijkaard, Pep, Tito and Lucho. When I see him I remember what this club stood for. I remember Van Gaal trusting all those young boys and Iniesta and being patient when few would endure it. I remember Rijkaard and Iniesta in CL Final when he stepped in for injured Xavi. All those tiki-taka moments under Pep and ultimate validation of his style. And finally, Iniesta being modest man that he is, sacrifying himself in a more defensive role under Lucho to accommodate Neymar.

This is the guy who Barca fans need to look up to and it saddens me to see that all those traits are being forgotten now and superficial crap is becoming more and more dominant and slowly ruining the values of Barca.

Well said. He and Xavi also. Type of players we will probably never witness together again. Type of players that cross club's boundaries. Everyone loves them.
Humble, dedication, extraordinary football intelligence and creativity. That made Barca so special.

Happy birthday Iniesta!

 

[Neymessi]

Happy bday iniesta. Easily the second best player for me after messi in the time I have been watching barcelona.