Andrés Iniesta Luján born 11 May 1984 is a Spanish football player. He currently plays as a midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.
Iniesta came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, and impressed from an early age. He made his first-team debut in 2002, aged 18. He began playing regularly during the 2004–05 season, and has remained in the side ever since. He was an integral part of the sextuple-winning Barcelona side in 2009, the only time which a club has achieved six titles in a year. His contract with Barcelona runs until 2015.
Iniesta played for Spain at Under-16, Under-19 and Under-21 levels, before making his international debut in 2006. He was selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, playing one game, as Spain went out in the second round. He helped Spain qualify for Euro 2008, and played an important role in the side as they went on to win the competition, playing every game and being selected in the UEFA Team of the Tournament. Iniesta was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was a key member of the victorious Spanish side; he scored the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands, also being named Man of the Match, and was selected in the tournament's All-Star Team.
Personal information
Full name: Andrés Iniesta Luján
Date of birth: 11 May 1984 (1984-05-11) (age 26)
Place of birth: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position: Midfielder / Winger
Club information
Current club: Barcelona
Number: 8
Youth career
1994–1996 Albacete
1996–2001 Barcelona
Senior career*
2001–2003 Barcelona B 54 (5)
2002– Barcelona 235 (24)
National team‡
2000–2001 Spain U15 2 (0)
2000–2001 Spain U16 7 (1)
2001–2002 Spain U17 4 (0)
2001–2002 Spain U18 1 (0)
2001–2002 Spain U19 7 (1)
2003–2004 Spain U20 7 (3)
2003–2006 Spain U21 18 (6)
2006– Spain 55 (9)
2004– Catalonia 1 (0)