Before the opening game against Spain, Andres Iniesta avoided the limelight that he is starting to deserve very much. In 2010, Iniesta scored a pivotal goal in extra time that brought his team their first World Cup. From that point forward, he has been quick to underplay his own talents and point to the rest of the team and to the team as a whole.

Recently, Andres Iniesta was quoted...

"I just want to perform my role," Iniesta said Saturday. "I've never considered myself any type of leader."

While he may not wish to be seen as a leader, his performance is that of a strong visionary. The following days will put that leadership role to the test with the mid-filed missing a vital David Silva, making Spain a little nervous as the games progress forward.

As the defending champions drive forward into the group stage, it is hard to not see Iniesta in the front leading the troops. There is no doubt that he is a powerhouse in the team and that his actions and performance push the team whether his words do or not.

"I feel good. I feel confident. I feel like it’s an opportune moment for playing," Iniesta said. "I've always had some kind of problem before the start of a tournament and this time not."

"Every pressure is different. What we feel here has nothing to do with the last event. It's going to be very difficult to win it again, but it's a form of pressure that works for us because it reminds us that there is a challenge ahead," Iniesta said. "We're not thinking about the final or conquering this European title. Focusing on tomorrow is sufficient."

It is clear that Andres Iniesta has a huge impact on both the demeanor of the team and its strength as a team. When he was out with a leg injury, there was a definable absence that could not be denied. Only time will tell how much of the leadership role he will take through the group stages in the days to come, but it is assured that his presence as a player will be strongly felt.