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8 key moments from the career of Andrés Iniesta

Barcelona v Sevilla - Spanish Copa del Rey Final
Andres Iniesta

May 11, 1984, saw the birth of Andrés Iniesta Luján at Fuentealbilla, a small village in the province of Albacete, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. 34 years later, the same person will be bringing the curtain down on his glorious Barcelona career at the end of the season after 22 years at the club from joining as an academy and 31 major honours with the 32nd one on the way, courtesy a sure-shot La Liga win this season.

Also a two-time Euro Cup winner and the 2010 World Cup winner with Spain, Iniesta's career is now at a point where he can easily be called one of the greatest ever midfielders to rule the football pitch.

Iniesta has been a first-team player at both Barcelona and the Spanish national side for close to 17 years and has been a veritable star of the team for almost 12.

It is a testament to his longevity that he stayed at the top for so long. But, making way for younger players, the 2010 World Cup final scorer is now ready to take on a new challenge elsewhere.

Here's a look back at Iniesta's finest career moments...


#1 First Team Debut

Iniesta at 18 years old, playing against Club Brugge
Iniesta at 18 years old, playing against Club Brugge

Having been invited to train with the Barça first team from as young as 16, Iniesta was eventually handed his senior debut in 2002.

Louis van Gaal, then in his second spell at Camp Nou, was the manager at the time and gave an 18-year-old Iniesta 90 minutes in a Champions League group game win against Club Brugge. 

He later played against Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United in the second group stage, before making his Spanish League debut in December 2002 against Real Mallorca. 

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