6 of the Best Moments of Andres Iniesta's Career

Andres Iniesta is number 32 in 90min's Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time series.

One of the greatest midfielders the world has ever seen, Iniesta earned unrivalled plaudits for both club and country. 

As Spain's most decorated ever player with 35 trophies, neither Barcelona nor Spain would have enjoyed their 21st century world dominance without this magician in midfield. The integral cog in possibly the world's best ever club side between 2008 and 2012, Iniesta's poise and technical ability spearheaded the tiki-taka revolution, and changed how we perceive football.

Without further ado, let's reminisce about six of the best moments from the maestro's illustrious career.

Barcelona's Miraculous Treble

Having just helped Spain secure their first major trophy in 44 years, Iniesta continued to take a stranglehold on world football with Barcelona the following season. 

Despite injuries having somewhat hampered his campaign, Iniesta still played a crucial role in ​Barca winning the treble; lifting the Copa del Rey, Champions League and La Liga. 

The artistry of the Spaniard was evident in his homeland, scoring four goals and registering 13 assists in ​La Liga, as well as scoring the goal that took Barca to the Champions League final (don't worry, we'll get to that). The Catalan giants would go on to beat Manchester United 2-0 in Europe's elite competition, Iniesta providing the assist for Samuel Eto'o's opener.

That Goal Against Chelsea

While the semi-final of the Champions League in 2009 was controversial - ​Chelsea feeling aggrieved with the referee's decision not to award several clear penalties - there was nothing controversial about Iniesta's late equaliser.

After the ball was played back to the edge of the box by ​Lionel Messi, Iniesta proceeded to strike the ball effortlessly with the outside of his right boot, wheeling away in celebration as his strike nestled in the top corner with aplomb.

After scoring that goal, Iniesta claimed: "I connected with that shot with the outside, not the inside or the tip of my boot, but right from my heart, with all my might."

World Cup-Winning Goal

​Spain came in to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with the piercing eyes of the world upon them. The current European Championship holders had become the powerhouse of international football, and unsurprisingly found themselves in the final of the World Cup.

Despite a scrappy final - courtesy of some serious sh**housery from the Netherlands - Spain's dominance eventually won the day, with Iniesta scoring a volleyed 116th-minute winner.

The goal would crown Spain world champions for the first time, and once again write Iniesta's name into footballing folklore.

Euro 2012

The last of three successive international trophies would come at Euro 2012 for Spain, and Iniesta.

The tournament proved far too easy for the world's best team, even winning the final at a canter - destroying Italy 4-0. But without the sensational individual performances of Iniesta, the trophy would have been a great deal harder to defend.

The maestro was rewarded for his stellar showings by being crowned the player of the tournament. And rightly so.

A Just as Miraculous Second Treble

While a treble is seldom won by mortal footballers, Iniesta seems to win them for fun.

In 2014/15, Iniesta secured his second treble with the club, captaining Barcelona in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League final. 

Iniesta's assist and all-round stunning performance in the ​Champions League final earned him man of the match, and made him one of just seven players to have won both trebles at Barcelona.

Standing Ovation at the Bernabeu

Arguably rarer than winning two trebles, Iniesta received a standing ovation from ​Real Madrid supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu during El Clasico. 

The midfielder had scored and assisted during Barca's 4-0 victory at the home of their bitter rivals, and was so influential and breathtaking that even Los Blancos' supporters were impressed by.

90min's 'Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time' can be found here.

Number 50: Luka Modric

Number 49: John Charles

Number 48: Hugo Sanchez

Number 47: Jairzinho

Number 46: Omar Sivori

Number 45: Paolo Rossi

Number 44: Paul Breitner

Number 43: George Weah

Number 42: Kaka

Number 41: Lev Yashin

Number 40: Gunnar Nordahl

Number 39: Kevin Keegan

Number 38: Hristo Stoichkov

Number 37: Gianluigi Buffon

Number 36: Johan Neeskens

Number 35: Xavi Hernandez

Number 34: Luis Suarez

Number 33: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge