This season has been a tough one for Iniesta on the pitch, and more recently, off the pitch. Iniesta has seen his role limited by new manager Tata Martino until now. Hopefully the days of seeing Iniesta sitting on the bench are a thing of the past. Barça’s season is going through the final stretch and if they have any hopes of grabbing some silverware, then they better make sure Iniesta is on the pitch to make things happen.
Barça has seen Messi, Neymar and Jordi Alba miss playing time because of injuries. However, it was Iniesta’s injury back in January against Atlético Madrid that probably hurt Barça the most. It’s no coincidence that Barça’s season took a turn for the worst when Iniesta was out of action and when he was playing back to form. Without a doubt, it was frustrating, for the player and for the fans, to see Iniesta find himself out of the lineup often in the early part of the season.
It also has been a difficult time for Iniesta recently off the pitch as well. He and his wife suffered the tragic loss of their unborn child through miscarriage. Iniesta’s wife had been staying at a hospital due to complications over her pregnancy and supposedly Iniesta was spending the night at the hospital to be by her side. If true, then that would explain Iniesta’s unusual performances as he was returning from his injury. Well, Iniesta missed the Valladolid game because of this ordeal and no one in their right mind would dare complain about his absence following that loss.
Iniesta’s performances these past two matches have been inspired and simply astounding. His presence has been deeply missed where the team just seems different altogether. Puyol may be the heart of the team, Xavi may be the brains and Messi might be the spirit of the team but Iniesta is the vision of the team. I once said that Iniesta should be considered one of the best players in the world and still stand by it. He is the straw that stirs the drink for both club and country and Barça’s titles’ aspiration rest with him.
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