The Illusionist3/3/2018 If magic had a name, it would be Andrés Iniesta. When one thinks of F.C. Barcelona, the image that generally pops up is that of Lionel Messi. For a decade, he has been spearheading the Blaugrana frontline with his rapid dribbling and knack of scoring. As the decade of Barcelona’s dominance has progressed, players have come and left. There has, however, been one constant. Someone who tends to go unnoticed. Don Andrés. El Ilusionista. Along with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, he formed the deadly midfield trio that ushered in a golden era for both FC Barcelona and Spanish football, winning two Euros and a World Cup for his homeland, and over 20 trophies for his club. Over the past decade, he has scintillated fans across the world with his incisive passing, quick dribbling, and his leadership, love, and pride for the badge on his chest. Iniesta moves with a fluidity rarely seen in players. The ball seems to glide across the pitch with a delicate touch of his foot. He may not be the most popular, recognised, or flashiest player on the team, but he has always been there when they needed him most. May 2009. The season had started shakily, and new manager Pep Guardiola, was under heavy criticism after back to back losses in the league. Star players Ronaldinho and Deco had left. A few months later, after a goalless draw at the Camp Nou in the first leg, Barca was faced with the task of getting past an unbreachable Chelsea defence at the Stamford Bridge after they had gone up by a goal in the opening few minutes of the game. Down a man and out of ideas, Barcelona threw every man upfront in a desperate attempt to equalise. On the sidelines, Guardiola paced up and down, unable to keep his eyes off the clock as it ticked down the remaining few seconds of the match. His vision, his masterpiece, his resurrection of Cruyff’s legacy was about to come crashing down, like a fallen monument of old, conquered. It was Andres Iniesta who kept the dream alive. Receiving a pass at the edge of the box, he instinctively sent a one touch shot into the back of the next. Barcelona was through. July 2010. After a demoralising start to their World Cup campaign, the Spaniards began to find their footing, as they brushed past opponents one after the other, mesmerising the world with their fluid, rapid passing. This team, with a Blaugrana spine, emulated Barcelona’s model of football on the world stage. Then, the unthinkable happened. They reached the World Cup final. And that’s where it all began to unravel. A combination of tight marking and defending along with aggressive play by the Dutch successfully nullified the Spanish brand of football. With the game scoreless after 90 minutes, the clock began to tick into extra time. And yet, no sign of a goal. 116 minutes into the game, and one man decided enough was enough. He received the ball on the edge of the box. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl. Everything around him froze. The only things he could see were the ball and the goal. He took a deft touch, teeing himself up for the shot. He struck. Everything went silent. Thousands of miles away, in Spain, millions of people watched, not daring to move, afraid that their movement would divert the ball from its path. In that moment, he felt nothing. Nothing but absolute silence. And then, a roar. The stadium erupted. And then he ran. He had done it. For the first time in their history, Spain had won the World Cup. Iniesta dedicated his winning goal to his friend Dani Jarque, who had passed away a few weeks ago. Over the years, Iniesta has won the hearts of millions around the world. Even now, in the twilight of his career, he never fails to replicate his performances of old, rejuvenated. The appointment of new coach Ernesto Valverde brought about a sense of déjà vu, with two straight losses amounting to an aggregate 5-1 defeat at the hands of rivals Real Madrid, and star Neymar leaving the club for PSG. Just as he did back in 2009, Iniesta took charge. Back then, he was merely another player in the squad. Today, he bears the captain armband. Today, he represents something more than just the skilful attributes of the game. He represents the hopes and dreams of a city, of an entire nation, of countless of Blaugrana worldwide. Despite his stellar career, Andres Iniesta never received a Ballon d’Or. What he does receive is the honour of being possibly the most loved and respected player in the history of Spanish football. What he does receive is a standing ovation from every stadium in Spain after every match. And despite the absence of a Ballon d’Or, Andres iniesta will go down as a legend. He is the manifestation of the beautiful game. He is a magician, for whom every game is a show, to bring joy and happiness to the audience. He is an artist, whose every shot and every pass is like another stroke of the paintbrush that creates a breathtaking masterpiece. He is the essence of football; its beauty, its elegance, its magic.
And at the centre of it all, one man. The Illusionist.
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June 2018
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