Andrés Inesta, a 12-year-old introvert first stepped into the great La Masia (Barcelona football academy) fields in 1996 AD. His toughest challenge then was overcoming the pain that came from staying away from his family back home.

BARCELONA, May 21: La Liga champions Barcelona ended their campaign with a 1-0 win at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday thanks to a sensational distance strike from Philippe Coutinho as the Nou Camp paid an emotional farewell to departing captain Andres Iniesta.

BARCELONA, Spain, Oct 23: Andres Iniesta's serious knee injury overshadowed another stellar performance by Lionel Messi on Saturday, when the Barcelona forward scored a second goal in stoppage time to earn a 3-2 win at Valencia.

MADRID, Sept 30: Andres Iniesta will lead Spain in its World Cup qualifying matches against Italy and Albania after returning from injury.