Picking out the best bits from the career of Andres Iniesta is rather like trying to get the ball off him. It's damnably difficult.

These have been chosen from among his career highlights with Barca and the national team, so, Vissel Kobe fans, we must apologise.

Enjoy a stroll down memory lane to look at 'The Artist' and his finest work.

1. 2006: FINAL SUPER-SUB

Iniesta later admitted his "blood was boiling" when he learned he was on the bench for the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal.

With Barca 1-0 down at half-time, Frank Rijkaard moved to rectify that error by introducing the midfielder for Edmilson. It proved pivotal.

Fellow subs Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti, along with Samuel Eto'o, might have provided the telling touches to secure a 2-1 victory, but it was Iniesta's arrival that catalysed the comeback.

Future team-mate Thierry Henry, who was in that Arsenal side, recalled: "The person who really killed me was Andres. When he comes on, everything changes."

2. 2009: INIESTA AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea fans might remember this Champions League semi-final second leg for a string of questionable refereeing decisions, but there is one moment that will forever stay with Barca fans.

The Catalans were moments from going out to a Michael Essien strike, but Iniesta's thumping effort from outside the box in the third minute of injury time sent them through on away goals.

Barca went on to beat Manchester United in the final and win the treble in Pep Guardiola's first season in charge. Iniesta's goal made it all possible.

3. 2010: WORLD CUP GLORY

Iniesta recalled his winning goal in extra time of the 2010 World Cup final as a moment of clarity, when it seemed as though the world drifted into slow motion.

That feeling of calm was a far cry from the year leading up to the tournament, in which the player struggled badly with mental and emotional concerns despite his success on the pitch. "It was like nothing was right," he recalled in his book, The Artist: Being Iniesta.

The loss of his friend Dani Jarque in 2009 - the Espanyol defender who died at just 26 years old - had deeply affected Iniesta, and it was only fitting he celebrated securing Spain's first World Cup by pulling off his shirt to reveal a message beneath reading: "Dani Jarque, always with us."

4. 2010: A CLASICO FOR THE AGES

Guardiola's Barca reached their peak in 2010-11 and arguably their greatest performance came in November 2010 against Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho's first taste of the Clasico as Madrid coach ended in a 5-0 battering at Camp Nou in which Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets utterly dominated proceedings.

He was not among the goals - Xavi (from Iniesta's pass), Pedro, David Villa (twice) and Jeffren were on the scoresheet - but Iniesta's display underlined his position as one of the world's best midfielders in the finest team on the planet.

5 2011: UNITED BACK ON THE CAROUSEL

Alex Ferguson famously compared facing a midfield of Xavi and Iniesta to being stuck on a carousel after Barca beat United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final.

Two years later, Guardiola's men led the Red Devils on an even dizzier dance, winning 3-1 at Wembley to secure another European triumph. Such was Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta's control over events that even Ferguson could find no complaints over the scoreline.

"They do mesmerise you with the way they pass it," he said. "I would say they're the best team we've faced.

Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It's not easy when you've been well beaten like that to think another way. 
No one has given us a hiding like that. It's a great moment for them."

6. 2011: A WORLD RUN BY MIDFIELDERS

At the 2011 Club World Cup, Barca went into the final against Santos with David Villa injured and Pedro on the bench. Guardiola's solution? Let's midfield them to death.

Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara (oh, and Dani Alves) all lined up behind Lionel Messi in a 3-4-3. It gave Barca a grip on the game that never loosened.

Messi (twice), Xavi and Fabregas scored in a 4-0 win in which Barca had 71 per cent possession and a young Neymar was given a glimpse of his future. Iniesta, the beating heart of the side, described the performance as "unique... it was something to remember and enjoy".

7. 2012: THE BEST IN EUROPE

Iniesta was part of the Spain side that won Euro 2008 under Luis Aragones before Vicente del Bosque led them to World Cup glory. 

Two years later, one of the great modern eras of international football was secured as they defended their continental crown, dispatching Italy 4-0 in the final in Kiev.

Del Bosque's team comprised six midfielders and no strikers, a remarkable line-up that represented the zenith of tiki-taka football, where technical mastery of pass-and-move play trumped all else and the classic number nine was rendered obsolete. 

Iniesta was named man of the match, player of the tournament, and crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe later that year.

8. 2015: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY

Another former Barca player in his first season as head coach, another treble, and another Iniesta assist on a big stage.

Luis Enrique's Barca took the lead against Juventus in Berlin through Ivan Rakitic after four minutes, as Iniesta became the first player to assist a goal in three different Champions League finals.

Alvaro Morata equalised but Luis Suarez and Neymar secured a 3-1 victory, as Iniesta claimed another man-of-the-match prize in a major final.

9. 2015: THE SANTIAGO BERNABEU STANDS AS ONE

Iniesta is one of the few Spanish players who is generally admired throughout rival fan bases and territories - even among Real Madrid supporters

In the Clasico of November 2015, Barca destroyed Madrid on home turf with a 4-0 victory in which Iniesta set up Neymar for a goal and scored a stunner himself.

Such was the supremacy of Iniesta that day - with Lionel Messi out injured - that the Bernabeu gave him a standing ovation as he left the pitch in the 77th minute. Only two other Barca players had ever been accorded such an honour: Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona.

10. 2018: THE INIESTA FINAL

Iniesta had not yet confirmed he would be leaving Barca at the end of 2017-18, but he made sure to provide the perfect curtain call anyway.

Having played a reduced role for much of the season, Iniesta seemed to have been saving himself for a last hurrah: the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla.

Although nearly 34, he looked at the peak of his powers, dictating the game at his own tempo as Barca cantered to a 5-0 win.

He even scored the goal of the game - exchanging passes with Messi, dummying the keeper and firing home - before yet another ovation serenaded his teary-eyed exit from the last major final he would play for the club he joined as a 12-year-old.

The competition is booked to be held in 12 urban communities in 12 European nations from 12 June to 12 July 2020. Portugal are the guarding champions, winning the 2016 version. Just because, the video associate arbitrator (VAR) framework will be utilized at the UEFA European Championship Euro 2021 live stream online

The Video is Finally Out and with some good commentary too:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-xfcSloHUg

Iniesta actually deserved 2010, 2012 and arguably 2015 balon dor.... that midfield trio of him xavi and busquet were so brutal , thats the best midfield trio in history of football.... the only midfield trio that controlled and won 2 champions league titles , 2 league titles, 2 Euros titles, and a world cup all within 4 years .... since he and xavi left, that team crumbled ... include dani Alves.... I still maintain that Messi is the most overrated player of all time .... remove messi and replace him with the likes of mbappe, Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, salah ( especially salah) and they will produce even more than what Messi did... etos best goal returns was when he played with those guys.... when ronaldo joined la liga and became the first person to score 40 goals in la liga , that magical trio swore to shatter that record thru Messi the following season and the rivalry became intense.... Ronaldo was blasting with midfield made of modric, ozil and alonso ( later replaced by kroos) but messi had xavi , iniesta and busquet ... even alonso no de too see shirt play for Spain ....messi should be forever grateful to those trio plus Dani Alves, the best right back along cafu, that I hv ever seen in my lifetime

[quote author=Kingcalls post=108451349]Iniesta actually deserved 2010, 2012 and arguably 2015 balon dor.... that midfield trio of him xavi and busquet were so brutal , thats the best midfield trio in history of football.... the only midfield trio that controlled and won 2 champions league titles , 2 league titles, 2 Euros titles, and a world cup all within 4 years .... since he and xavi left, that team crumbled ... include dani Alves.... I still maintain that Messi is the most overrated player of all time .... remove messi and replace him with the likes of mbappe, Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, salah ( especially salah) and they will produce even more than what Messi did... etos best goal returns was when he played with those guys.... when ronaldo joined la liga and became the first person to score 40 goals in la liga , that magical trio swore to shatter that record thru Messi the following season and the rivalry became intense.... FACTOS. U sabi ball bt messi aint overrated tho.

[quote author=SEO2002 post=108458120][/quote]

Messi is a fantastic player...very talented but iniesta and xavi ratings were added to Messi thereby underrating both xavi and iniesta

Iniesta is indescribable. One of the GOAT midfielders of all time. The only thing that separates the genius from Messi was his poor scoring ability.

For those looking for the tiniest opportunity to downplay Messi's greatness, The attachment below shows who the overrated player is and who needs a stronger team to succeed.

Messi's greatness is not tied to any individual as some people want us to believe.

Messi led Barcelona to the league after Iniesta & Xavi's exit

He won European Golden Boot without Xavi and Iniesta.

He was UCL Top scorer after their Exit

La liga Top scorer for 3 consecutive seasons after their exit

La liga Best Player for 2 consecutive seasons after their exit

Still won Copa America and all the individual awards with them.

He was rated the best play maker of the last decade. Under normal circumstance, Messi's name should not even be mentioned for this award by IFFHS but they simply cant overlook his creativity and general team contribution.

The only thing Messi is yet to win without them is the UCL and every sensible person knows, you must have a formidable team to win it.

As a matter of fact, Xavi and Iniesta should be grateful they played with Messi and same applies to Messi