Andres Iniesta

Each week, we shall be looking into one of the greatest footballers in modern football and the impact they can potentially make when the World Cup commences in June.

History has taught us that some players’ form tends to dip after a period of bewildering success. Wesley Sneijder is such an example, where the player’s performances decreased tremendously after a highly successful 2010 including a Champions League win and a second place finish at the World Cup in South Africa.

That, however, is certainly not the case for Andres Iniesta, one of the world’s finest midfielders. The Barcelona star was and still is one of the key players during both Barcelona and Spain’s golden era.

Success doesn’t only come in the form of trophies though. A player reaches the level of legends when they play with a unique style and is one to look up to even off the pitch. Iniesta playing football is simply a joy to watch, linking telepathically with fellow club and country partner in crime Xavi. He also has this impeccable knack of scoring extremely decisive goals, such as the World Cup Final winner in 2010 or eliminating Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-final following one of the tournament’s most controversial matches in history.

Iniesta’s unique talent has kept a plethora of other Spanish midfielders on the national bench, players such as Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, David Silva and Borja Valero. He will be at the age of 30 during this summer’s World Cup, meaning that this might be the last world tournament where he will be in full force.

Fans should understand that, with Iniesta in the squad, Spain’s odds for victory are strengthened much further, as his commanding authority is constantly seen as a threat by opposition.