Andres Iniesta

There is a saying that one cannot teach old dogs new tricks. There is also a saying that there is always an exception present that proves any a given rule. The switch of Andrés Iniesta to Japan and his transformed into Lionel Messi has seems relevant to above mentioned comments.

Iniesta is the former legend of Barcelona. He left the only club had known till this summer to join the team of Japanese Vissel Kobe, which is famous for having an attacking end. However, his performance on the ground has not been the same as his dribbles, movement and passes that have consistently been going on over the years. At the present time, Iniesta has probably curiously failed to make the number of goals that one might predict from a good and advanced midfielder who is playing for one of the most successful attacking team in history.

Former Barcelona midfield maestro made his first start in the J-League on Saturday, helping his side Vissel Kobe to victory. It could have been a more memorable first start from the World Cup and Champions League winner had his effort gone in. He had a good opportunity 15 minutes into the game. He was around the edge of the box but he couldn’t quite get his shot on target.

He had started the last game from the bench and could not do anything to stop the team from losing 3-0 to ShonanBellmare. Against Kashiwa this time, Iniesta showed his superior abilities despite being 34 already.

Erstwhile Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado eyes an “interesting” adventure in his breath-taking role as part-owner of Gibraltar United F.C. that play in the Gibraltar Football League’s Premier Division.

Salgado, a former Spain international and his Swiss-Italian Business partner Pablo Dana have since taken over the affairs of the team, who are currently placed seventh in the 10-team Gibraltar Premier League standings.

Barcelona are close to securing the long-term contracts of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, that is according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The future of both Barcelona legends have been in doubt over the last few months but the pair look to be close to putting pen to paper.

Andres Iniesta is one of the iconic figures of Barcelona of the past decade as the Spanish midfielder joined the youth academy of the club at a very young age and from there on out, he has been marking his name as one of the finest footballers in the sport.

Even at the age of 33, Iniesta is regarded as a top performer who can get past players who are much younger.

Recently, there have been talks concerning the future of Andresiniesta as the veteran midfielder has a contract in Camp Nou which extends until June of 2018 and supporters of the club as well as the president himself want to see Iniesta signing a new contract extension but the talented midfielder appears to be delaying a renewal of his deal.

Barcelona’s bubbling PR machine is currently in overdrive, and their latest effort to pull fans back on their side has been to hand Andres Iniesta a contract for life at the club.

Rather than an a PR move or empty gesture however, Barça must make good on their statement of intent regarding Iniesta. His legacy at the club must be cemented, by making sure that his image is intact for future generations coming through.

Barcelona skipper Andres Iniesta had to comment on the popular issue at hand as he was constantly in the line of questioning over the future of teammates Neymar Jr.

The Spaniard said that only the Brazilian can address the issue head on.

“We would like you to not keep asking so much, but to end this, there is only one way: Neymar will speak. Neymar will give his explanations. We have to support him with the decision he makes.”

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said that he is unsure of signing a new contract with the club.

He said that he would need to consider a lot of things before committing himself to the club.

The captain of Barcelona, Andres Iniesta is entering the final 12 months of his contract with the Spanish club and even though the veteran player has already been offered contract extensions, Iniesta has recently stated that he wants to delay these kinds of talk until the end of the current season.

Andres Iniesta joined the youth academy of Barcelona at the age of 12 and from there on out, Iniesta has turned into one of the most influential players in the history of the club as he has helped Barcelona in lifting just about every piece of silverware that there is to win.

Luis Enrique does not think there can be a perfect replacement for Andres Iniesta.

In the opinion of Enrique, he does not have any shortage of quality playmakers for tomorrow’s trip to Eibar. There are plenty of guys in the squad who can take people’s breath away with their skills in the centre of the pitch, but, none of them is whom he can call another Iniesta.