Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta has stated that he is forever indebted to the club’s former manager, Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman recently became the Manchester United manager and has been experiencing a lot of success over the last few months. However, it will almost be a year before there is a possibility of United and Barcelona coming up against each other in the Champions League. Iniesta has been one of the world’s finest central midfielders. Even though he has not been at his best in the last couple of years, it was not long ago that he was in central figure in Barcelona’s Champions League success and Spain’s World Cup title.
It was Van Gaal who discovered the talent within Iniesta and promoted him from the Barcelona reserves into the first-team. Since then, the 30-year-old has never looked back and is close to becoming the permanent captain of the club. His debut for Barcelona came in a Champions League match against Bruges back in 2002. Recalling about his immense career that has seen him lift several major trophies, Iniesta singled out the Champions League final victory over Manchester United in 2009 as the biggest moment of his career. The Spaniard has also won the European Championship and World Cup titles in his career.
"My debut with the team, it was the most important day of my life. A dream come true. These are very good memories.I was nervous but also very grateful to Van Gaal and all the coaches I've had before. The final in Rome, I consider it one of the best of all time. Because there is this match but also in relation to our route to the final.The goal I scored at Chelsea at the last minute is still one of the most incredible of my career," said Iniesta.