Iniesta makes 400th La Liga appearance vs. Leganes
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta is set to make his 400th La Liga appearance a little more than 15 years after his debut for La Blaugrana.
Sunday's visit from lowly Leganes marks just the latest milestone in a celebrated career rife with trophies and distinctions for the 32-year-old.
Since the Dec. 2002 trip to Mallorca where Iniesta started as part of a front three alongside Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars, the crafty Spanish playmaker has become one of his generation's best players.
(Photo courtesy: @iammoallim)
Buoyed by world-class ball control and balance, Iniesta has been one of football's rare one-club players, and Barcelona has repaid him for his efforts. With the Catalan giant, he has won the league eight times to go with four Copa del Rey crowns and a half-dozen Supercopa de Espana titles. On the continent, Iniesta has won the Champions League on four occasions.
A midfielder who blends panache with playmaking, Iniesta has also been the recipient of a slew of individual honours during a decorated career. The Man of the Match for the 2015 Champions League final, he was also named Spanish La Liga Player of the Year in 2009, La Liga Best Attacking Midfielder five times, and on three occasions was a finalist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
With his current Barcelona deal set to expire in 2018, Iniesta has expressed a desire to extend his Catalan stay, though it would be unfair to overlook how injuries and form have hampered his 2016-17 campaign.
Twice befallen due to knee concerns and again in mid-January with a hamstring setback, Iniesta has made a scant 10 league appearances this year. Pair that with an uncharacteristically drab performance in the midweek 4-0 drubbing to Paris Saint-Germain, and it's safe to say Iniesta's best days are behind him.
Even with an all-to-common decline in progress, his exploits with Barcelona are among his era's best. With 400 La Liga appearances, and 613 in all competitions, Iniesta sits second in both categories to former midfield partner Xavi, a fitting standard for a generational talent.