12 August 2015

Most Achieved! Andres Iniesta Equals Xavi's Trophies Record

Iniesta is now the joint-most decorated Spanish player of all time alongside Xavi Hernández, having scooped his 28th trophy in the shape of his third UEFA Super Cup.

Few would bet against this extraordinary haul being added to significantly this season, or even before the calendar year is out, with the Spanish Super Cup right around the corner and the Club World Cup to come this winter.

Iniesta made his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal's stewardship in the 2002-03 season. He spent that year and the following one combining playing with the big boys and the reserves, before fully establishing himself in the first-team set-up in 2004-05, when he made 37 appearances in Frank Rijkaard's La Liga-winning team - albeit not always as a starter. This was the first of Iniesta's trophies, but who would have thought so many would follow?


The midfielder's most glittering year was in 2010 when, as well as winning his fourth league title and Spanish Super Cup, he captured the holy grail - the World Cup - after famously scoring the winner in the final against the Netherlands. That completed his collection, meaning any further pieces of silverware he collected would be repeats.

Victory over Athletic de Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup would not only take Barça one step closer to another historic sextuple, it would also leave Iniesta standing alone in Spanish football history, with a staggering 29 trophies under his belt.


No comments: