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Report: Like many of his teammates Andres Iniesta also helped Spain's national team lift the World Cup trophy. Despite not playing in one game in the tournament Inesta was instrumental to his team's success. He scored two goals including the game winner against Chile and the World Cup winner against Holland.
Andres' success on the pitch continued when he returned to Barcelona. As has been the case in previous seasons Inista once more played a key role in the midfield. He and Xavi were on the same page throughout the season and when the two started together in the midfield Barcelona played at a higher level.
On a handful of occasions Andres played on the left wing, but when that happened Barcelona didn't look as comfortable. With the best midfield duo in the world broken up Barca lost some pace and creativity in midfield (Seydou Keita usually played in Iniesta's spot) and it showed on the pitch. Barcelona play their best football with Andres in the heart of the pitch where his exceptional technique comes to play.
Going into the season Iniesta only had two 5+ goals scored campaigns (in eight seasons). This season he added another one to that total with nine goals which tied a career high set in the 2006/07 season. Iniesta did however, set a new career high in goals scored in La Liga with eight.
Moment of the season: If you ask Andres what his moment of the season was, he will without a doubt tell you the birth of his daughter. But we will stick with the footballing aspect here and on the pitch the best play Iniesta made was against the Netherlands on 11 July in the World Cup. The goal in the 116th minute proved to be the tournament winner.
2010 FIFA World Cup Final Spain VS Netherlands Andres Iniesta Goal (via Party1337)
However, in case you insist a player has to have a moment of the season in Barcelona colors take a look at the highlight from the Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk match where Inista scored the first goal of the game and brilliantly assisted on Daniel Alves' tally. Those were the "only" two instances on which Andres got on the scoresheet, but he was absolutely brilliant throughout the night.
Barcelona Vs Shakthar Donetsk 5 - 1 ll SKY Sports HD 720p ll (via AJohannes93)
Stats:
| Appearances | 50 |
| Games started | 46 |
| Started on the bench | 7 |
| Substitute in | 4 |
| Substitute out | 16 |
| Minutes played | 4289 |
| Goals scored | 9 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Shots | 65 |
| Shots on goal | 30 |
| Fouls committed | 38 |
| Fouls suffered | 104 |
| Yellow cards | 4 |
| Red cards | 0 |
Record with Andres Iniesta in the starting lineup: 35-8-3
2011/12 Outlook: Andres will return next season as one of the best players in the world and a key member of Pep Guardiola's dream team. Iniesta will, baring an injury, play around 50 games, but this season he might see more action on the wing, especially if Cesc Fabregas joins Barcelona. Andres will continue to be a sensational playmaker, but despite his obvious goalscoring talents it would be unrealistic to expect nine (or more) goals next season.
Next up: Seydou Keita
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