At a certain time, during Spain's reign and Barcelona's dominance...I'll say it, I don't care; Iniesta was the most naturally gifted footballer in his position in the world. His ridiculous control and understanding of the entire game was something that was quite amazing to watch. You had to WATCH closely, or you could easily miss it. Some of the things he pulled off the ball was simply incredible.
But we are all human, and everyone gets old and nobody can do it at this level forever. Life just doesn't come with that kind of package. If it does, holla at me and let me know how that works.
Barcelona go into another season, and of course, they are chasing glory on all fronts. Last season I assumed
Iniesta would be finished, but with the captain's armband, he may not have been as great as he once was, but he still managed to produce when needed and for what his legs could not do last season, he simply just used his brain and became a lot smarter with the ball. So it worked out for Barcelona and he made an important contribution to the three-headed dragon that no team had any answer for. There is still that question, as many Barcelona fans wonder when Iniesta just won't be able to keep up anymore. When that happens, it will be close to impossible to find a player quite like his ilk who fitted the Barcelona fabric so perfectly.
If I was to place a bet, which I don't after Ronaldo lost me cash in the 2006 World Cup for Brazil, then I think Iniesta can still ball this season. He may not be able to be at it in a high-octane match against a physical team, but he can still offer that management in midfield for Barcelona and work as well as blend well with Rakitic who is pretty much his understudy. Also, when you think of how Barcelona are playing, the ball is being moved a lot quicker so there is less pressure on Iniesta to keep the ball and therefore tire himself out. This means less injuries and Enrique being able to use him for one or two more seasons. But, there will come that time when he just can't cut it anymore. Perhaps, he should have been shown up last season but because of how amazing the front three of Barcelona were, they did not really need Iniesta having to really go all out or have him in a position where he could be exposed.
I assume Iniesta will retire at Barcelona unlike Xavi. Enrique knows that Iniesta won't be able to start and finish every game for Barcelona until he retires. Rakitic will need another buddy in midfield and that is where the real difficulty comes in finding someone who can be almost as good as Iniesta. Not only a good keeper of the ball, but someone that can weave through players, and connect well with Messi to bring in the Cannibal and Neymar into the game. Not sure where Enrique will find that kind of player, and when Iniesta just can't cut it anymore or for that day of retirement, Barcelona would have lost not their most flashy player, which is a title belonging to Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, but technically one of their most gifted footballers.
Enrique, get out of your beach house and look for that replacement.
HH
