Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has revealed his top five footballers of all time, and surprisingly, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut.
Instead, the former midfield maestro chose players who deeply influenced his career and playing style.
1. Michael Laudrup – The Childhood Idol
Iniesta’s top pick is none other than Danish playmaker Michael Laudrup. Known for his silky dribbling and incredible vision, Laudrup was a player Iniesta idolized growing up.
“I’ve been trying to be like him since I was a kid,” he admitted, crediting Laudrup’s creativity as a major inspiration for his own style.
2. Xavi Hernandez – The Perfect Partner
There was never a doubt about Xavi’s inclusion. Iniesta and Xavi formed one of football’s most legendary midfield duos, controlling games with unmatched precision.
Having played 486 matches together, Iniesta described Xavi as his “ideal player,” praising his ability to dictate play with pinpoint passing and football intelligence.
3. Pep Guardiola – The Mastermind
Guardiola may be known as a tactical genius on the sidelines, but Iniesta also admired him as a player.
Despite never sharing the pitch together at Barcelona, Iniesta looked up to Guardiola’s understanding of the game, which later shaped his own approach.
Their relationship flourished when Guardiola became his coach, leading Barcelona to an era of dominance.
4. David Silva – The Unsung Genius
A midfield artist in his own right, David Silva earned Iniesta’s respect for his effortless creativity.
The two played 87 games together for Spain, forming a brilliant connection on the field.
Iniesta admired Silva’s dribbling and passing ability, calling him one of his all-time favorites.
5. Santi Cazorla – The Surprise Pick
Perhaps the most unexpected name on the list, but Iniesta’s love for Santi Cazorla’s technical brilliance is no secret.
Even at 40, Cazorla continues to impress, and Iniesta has always admired his ability to glide past defenders and make football look easy.
Why No Messi or Ronaldo?
The absence of Messi and Ronaldo is a shock, given Iniesta’s close ties with Messi at Barcelona.
However, his list appears to be more personal, focusing on those who directly shaped his journey rather than just the biggest names in football history.
Still, leaving out Messi, a player he won everything with, will surely raise eyebrows.
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