Andres Iniesta announcing his retirement has prompted an outpouring of love for a player who brought so much joy. His status in Spain is easy to explain but his admirers extend worldwide, such was his ability to bewitch with the ball. As a journalist, the job often involves asking players and coaches about those more famous than themselves.
It occasionally evokes a grimace. Others will have asked about Lionel Messi before. The guard can go up.
With Iniesta, it was never like that. Mention of his name, whether beside pitches or at press conferences, usually prompted a smile. People could not resist talking about him warmly.
That the question had even been asked was almost like being welcomed into a fan club. So, you get it too. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Albert Capellas coached Iniesta as a young player, although he would use the word coached loosely.
Even then, he understood the dynamic. "I trained Iniesta for several years and I always say that Iniesta came into this world to show us how to play football." Capellas' view of the true greats was simple.
"You do not correct them. They show you the way." Pep Guardiola is rightly credited with transforming Barcelona, fashioning arguably the greatest side of them all, but it was possible, in part, because of Iniesta.
Trending Together with Xavi Hernandez, they reshaped the game, putting opponents on what Sir Alex Ferguson would call the carousel. Twenty years ago, midfields were for the muscular. .
