Interview of Andrés Iniesta

[Ryan_Cule]

Question. At this point, Can you define your mood?

A: I am very happy. It's a different feeling. It is a state of happiness better than we ever knew. There are things that make you a better person, more complete, knowing far more about you and your personality. And that makes you happier. At least, happy in a way more comfortable and more worthwhile. I have a happy heart. Well, really happy. I feel very good.

Q. Is that the World Cup or something else ?

A. It comes from all, that has been my life.

Q. Your life begins to be different from that of any child at the age of 11

R. I had no choice. I thought about it much because I lived in a village with my parents and my little sister. I had a very happy life ... But I understood that I had no other choice. There were a thousand things, thousands of situations, which affected my family , by many circumstances, by the conviction that we would have a better life, which only had a way of trying to get my sleep, demanded to that path & I was on my way .....

Q. Do you remember the day it started that way?

A. I remember the trip by car, stopping to eat on the road ... We were unable to eat anything .. not my father or my sister because we were dying of grief. But today I think and I know that there was no other way out. I wanted to be a Barcelona player and they gave me the opportunity to be. But there were more days, even tougher, because the distance to overcome horrors cost too much. I was a child ! We suffered all ! These were years of being alone ... These things mark. But these are experiences. The condition you and your inner life has to bear from time to time. In fact, I just wanted to be a football player of first division. That was my only dream. The others were arriving alone: debuted in Barcelona, giving me a chance to play in the Spanish team, winning titles ...


Q. Have you ever imagined that we all would point to as the star that decided the final World Cup?

R. No. My one dream, when football was just fun, was to become a player. Nothing more. The label was: "I want to be a football player." Then came the Barcelona and, little by little, doors opened for me... I never dreamed of scoring a goal in a World Cup final, but I played, Cesc gave me a pass & was waiting for the Newton`s law to appear ...

Q. Excuse me?

R. I mean [laughs] by the scoring of the goal. When you control the ball, I know it will be a goal. Only had to wait to come down to hit. Why Newton ? Because of the law of gravity,just wait for the apple to fall. Places to look for reasons, also helped me to get the goal in detail. What I have achieved, seen from the square in which Fuentealbilla played as a child, is unthinkable. No, I did not dream this. But best of all is the feeling that, once achieved, I have a lot to do. That makes me very happy.



Q. Do you have dreams?

A. Yes. How is it that is always said that athletes are made of sterner stuff? Season starts, you start from scratch and repeat challenges and new challenges to achieve. The past is useless. Really, I do not take the field thinking that I'm world champion. I know perfectly well that if I get relaxed, I would be able to put three goals. In that influences the ambition of every one, what you've worked all your life, see people around you who can be at all times ... In life I have left many things to do. I have to start thinking about having my family, my children ... to lay your head. Time is coming [laughs loudly]!

Q. Did you make any promise during the World Cup?

A. The bad thing is that the pledges should be fulfilled. Yes, I thought a couple of things and now ...

Q. So you made more than a promise?

A. Yes, more or less. One is very personal and I have it here ... The other is about the Camino de Santiago. I did not know that was 3,000 miles! I looked at the map and passing day I said: "Bah, a walk!". Then, when they had blundered, I realized that it was endless. Come on, now I do not block much the agenda. But I will, comply. This year was impossible. That I have to organize things pretty well first. I did not know that was 3,000 miles. It was a shock, a surprise . But the other promise , you won`t hear about that ... No, seriously, I will comply with both. Every time I see the game I remember that I have two things to accomplish.



Q. Have you seen many times the game against Holland?

A. Yes, but not for being the final. I see many times all my matches. When I arrive at home, or field trip, I put on . It helps me improve. In addition, the final has been repeated many times. So, like it or not, I have seen the goal a thousand times. But the feeling in the field is unique. The perspective is very different. A final goal is that staff is mine ... The looks on TV, but I've only got once that goal. I can not explain ... It's different to see that mark.

Q. Do you also caught breath?

R. No. I just thought about how I was going to hit the ball and where I wanted to. Since the control, repeats, I know it's goal. I know the defense does not come, that the goalkeeper fails ... I only expected to fall, to ensure compliance with the law of Newton. I knew I was down, beating him, that goal was ... This time the apple was the ball and the head of Newton is my foot.

Q Just to hit the ball, you already knew it was world champion?

R. No. I just thought it was a goal. What would you think about it after the World Cup.

Q. So why was the shirt in honor of Jarque?

A. Because it was my friend. He had grown up with him and died. With Jarque shared many things. We grew up together, we had very good relationship, we talked many hours about many things y. .. He lived in Sant Boi and I was driving to the Camp Nou when I had no card. The best way to unite people is sport ... Well, if you want to destroy, not a bad way. Unfortunately, it is often used for things that have nothing to do with his spirit.




Q. Do you mean by Van Bommel?

R. No. I refer to relationships. Sometimes, the excuse of being of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Athletic conditions to the people. Give me Dani was very parrot and I loved him. It was my friend. I got this shirt because I wanted to come up with me to find the cup. And, finally, comes the photo of the goal. That will not count.

Q. Is it that he was not champion until the referee blew the final?

R. No. Since I started the second half, he was sure that we won the game. Since we returned to the field after the break, I knew we earned insurance. Robben did not even hesitate when faced with Casillas. I see Iker strengthen the foot, look for the ball and know it is not a goal. And when you start the extension I am absolutely convinced that we won. As I do not think the goal is in place.

Q. Do you believe in fate?

A. Why do you ask?

P. Stamford Bridge, Johannesburg ...

A. The destination is a very complex word.

Q What then?

A. I do not know ... Will become the destiny [is part of laughter] ... It was my turn to be there and there it was. But I do not think a thing of the moment. Spain won the World Cup because many people worked for it. Is that there have been many circumstances for the people there so consiguiéramos that had worked so hard ... I do not know ... It is difficult.

Q. Do you have trouble loading the sense of having been the man who did something exceptional?

R. No. But I can not help it. Yes, I did something that not many people do: score a goal in the World Cup final. Well, that just can happen to a footballer and I am a footballer. So it is not so rare in the background. Man, what bothers me is that I put a lot of goals and now all of that goal can not be valued as it was this. With what it costs me scoring a goal ... The de Santander, for example, is the most difficult I've got and I'll put in my life. And, poor, no one tells me anything about that goal. Of 10 times you try this scrimmage, the first and so far away, you put two. It supercomplicated to get that goal. But, of course, as I put the Racing, with Barcelona and it looks so easy ...

P. Xavi said that the hardest part is what seems easier and points to you, Messi ...

A. Well, that applies the story because what he does is superdifícil.

P. Jose Mourinho has said he does not deserve the Ballon d'Or

A. Fortunately, he won`t be dicing it. I understand that says it considers that another player deserves it more. I can even agree with him. But to say that I do not deserve it, as if I can`t win ever .

Q. Would you like to receive this recognition?

A. I won`t return it if I am chosen, I swear [laughs]. But I do not think the Golden Ball's nice that people appreciate what you do, but if they give it to another, certainly he deserves it. Nor is it something that depends on me. So I do not think about it.

Q. Do you think that, physically(you), is fragile?

A. Look, last year I was low 40 days, spread over two lesions. May at times were not so fine as far. But I do not feel it was a bad season. I participated a lot and was a good course. Many times I did not play more for taking care and be cool. So I had moments of being very high. When you go down a little, think you're wrong, but I had a brutal downturn.

Q. Why did you drop so well with people?

A. I do not know. But it is true that I have the feeling that people like me very much ... I feel loved and respected. And that's one of the best feelings you can have one person.

P. Pep Guardiola says that people love them both because they earn, but also for being good people.

A. No I have the feeling that Peter or Busquets cost them be as they are. Neither Xavi, or Iker, or Capdevila, or Queen ... I do not know ... It is not difficult to do normal things that everybody does. If people appreciate it, I welcome that. But it is something that me or the players with whom I live in Barcelona or selection we generate too much trouble. We are people like us back to town we grew up, being with our friends forever ... Its not hard being me. I am what I am, as my parents raised me. And much, how I was raised in Barcelona. I am what I am because of my parents, but in La Masia grow fast and live at cruising speed. It is unstoppable. But it is impossible to miss as values. Look, when I was 12, my father saved for three months to buy Predator boots. I may now have money, but every time I look at those boots I know where I come from.

P. Guardiola was his idol and is now his coach. What has he contributed?

R. The mister [I think a lot] is a person not only cares for you in football, but in bad, in difficult times, always there with his words, with his advice,with his embrace ......

Q. Can he be a philosopher? Do you understand what Ibrahimovic?

A. I guess it's something personal, they will know ... If this is finished because I had to end this anyway. Better for everyone. I have nothing to value in this regard. All I know is that I am very happy at Barcelona and I'm about to experience a game at the Monumental.

Q. It took pictures at La Bombonera. Are you enjoying this trip a lot?

R. I am delighted to be in Argentina. I really wanted. I do not think playing here again with Spain. Try to enjoy it. It will be a great match. The Argentine is competitive, it delivers long, competes in an extraordinary way ...! It'll be nice ... Here football is exciting. I have wanted to live here.

P. Messi will go.

R. Can not play? Have a passport, right? Well, I do not want. It's very Argentine. But circumstances are what they are. Leo is great, a happy guy who follows his personal development as any of his age. It is outrageous what he does on the field, that to get things impossible with absolute normality. It's so hard! So it is the best. Make a difference when you want. Is the top.

Q. Is the best thing was not Xavi?

R. No. Xavi is a Beast!

Q. Finally, what you do not like to eat?

R. Me? The chicken and potatoes.

[FCBarca]

Great stuff, thanks for that

But it is impossible to miss as values. Look, when I was 12, my father saved for three months to buy Predator boots. I may now have money, but every time I look at those boots I know where I come from.

[La Furia]

Iniesta is such a refreshing exception to the stereotypical footballer.

[stokebarca]

Some questions are dumb though. 'Can you define your mood'?. He has just scored a winning WC final goal, plays for arguably the biggest club in the world, probably on a huge salary and adored by his clubs supporters and the vast majority of Spain (the most Hateful madridistas excluded). I'd imagine all in all, he is fairly content with things!