The Artist: Being Iniesta

by Andrés Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta is the Barcelona and Spain legend, rated by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paul Scholes as one of the greatest footballers of all time. This is the thinking fan's footballer with a thinking fan's football book.Andrés Iniesta was twelve years old when scouts invited him into Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. Shortly after he joined the club, Barca legend Pep Guardiola remarked of him, 'This lad is going to retire us all.'Iniesta rapidly became a permanent fixture in the Barca midfield, propelling the club to a raft of trophies, including eight La Liga championships and four Champions League titles. With his country he has won the European Championship twice, and scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.Behind the wonderfully graceful passing and movement, and the accolades and trophies he has garnered, there exists an intelligent and thoughtful man who, until now, has let his beautifully skilful feet do the talking. In The Being Iniesta, the Spanish maestro paints a vivid self-portrait, in his own words but also in those of his coaches, team-mates, opponents, friends and family. The result is intriguing.

Genres: Football, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Soccer, Autobiography

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2016

About the author

Andrés Iniesta Luján (Fuentealbilla, Albacete, 11 de mayo de 1984) es un futbolista español que juega como centrocampista en el Emirates Club de la UAE Pro League de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos.
Ha desarrollado la mayor parte de su carrera en el F. C. Barcelona y en la selección española, equipos de los que fue capitán. Es el futbolista español más laureado de la historia con un total de 39 títulos oficiales y ampliamente considerado como uno de los mejores futbolistas del mundo de su generación y uno de los mejores centrocampistas de la historia del fútbol.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

First and foremost, this simply is not an autobiography. There is a short introduction written by Iniesta himself, but the rest of the book is merely a collection of quotes from a wide variety of people who have encountered him over the years - family members, friends, trainers of his youth teams, Barca teammates and coaching staff, fellow players, etc. The one praiseworthy element of this book is that isn't starstruck in the space it devotes to its many interviewees - family and friends get much more space than the likes of Messi, Guardiola and other stars.

It is, however, simply dreadfully boring to read 300+ pages of people praising Iniesta. He's a great football player - we know this already, so the decision to have people tell us this over and over and over and over again is a strange one. They tell us about his dribbling ability. They tell us about his mastery of space. They tell us about his turn of pace. They tell us about his unflappability. Towards the end it is a lesson in rote learning.

He's also a very nice man. Generous, caring, unselfish and above all, humble. We are told this so many times that it's difficult to believe that the writers or Iniesta himself couldn't see the glaring, slap-in-the-face irony of someone who is so so humble to have 300+ pages of people saying how wonderful he is.

This book is a boring, self-indulgent, interminable slog with its only snippets of worthwhile content repeated ad nauseam.

[Yara Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about one of the best football players of all time

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andres Iniesta is a soccer icon. Teammates and rivals alike speak highly of him. His name is known world wide. His journey, however, was far from easy. His struggles may not have seem obvious but they affected him more than it appeared to the public eye. Just twelve years old when he joined La Masia academy in Barcelona, his rise into soccer elite is one to be admired. This is his story.

I became passionate about soccer, particularly F.C. Barcelona, about four years ago. If you had asked me than, Andres was another player of the team to me. Iniesta, however, is more. So much more. I came to love soccer, in great part, because of him. His talent, skill and ability on the pitch are superb and unmatched. His intuition always on point. But the best part about him? Despite all this success, he has remained the same humble and simple person that he was when he arrived at Barca at twelve years old. There is quite literally not one bad thing that can be said about Andres. Andres is as good a player a he is a person and he is a really good player. I have not read an athletes biography before and I will probably will not read another one. This book was not tradional telling of dates and events. It was more an insight into his personal and private thoughts (and of those around him) during key moments in his life. I really did get a sense of who Andres Iniesta is by the time I turned the last page.

It was bittersweet reading this for Andres Iniesta has since started a new chapter in his life. Having just recently finished his 22-year run at Barcelona, he bid the club farewell in a very emotional ceremony. Having earned nickmanes like cerebro, maestro and genio (brain, master and genius) he will forever remain beloved there (at the club). Andres Iniesta is an artist in every sense of the word and a player like him has not and will not appear again. Andres will play his last world cup in Russia this year and I, for one, can not wait. It goes without saying, I love him so much and reading his book was a great experience.

[Manveer]

‘It’s impossible to have a bad word to say about Andrés. He teaches you daily, with humility. I have so much respect for him. Maybe people don’t appreciate how important he is because he has been there for so long, because we have followed him all the way through, but the day he retires people will realize that he is one of the greats. We don’t celebrate his performances as much as we should, because we know that the next game he’ll be just as good.’

Firstly, 10/10 for the name, for there was never a better definition of the word ‘Artist’.

I don’t usually read nonfiction, but when I do, it never fails to amaze. Well, released just in time to celebrate the occasion of the captain’s twenty years with Barcelona, ‘The Artist’ paints a vivid picture of the life of the greatest Spanish football player to have ever graced the football pitch.

This book has almost everything you might want to know about the little genius, from his early days at Albacete to moving to La Masia to climbing up the ranks to winning every possible team trophy to eventually becoming the captain of the greatest football team ever assembled. The book touches on his life, his career, his relationships and friendships, the highs and lows, just everything.

Containing accounts from Iniesta’s family, friends, teammates and rivals alike (who all have nothing but praises for him), this book takes you on a journey through time, bringing out hidden emotions and giving you the chills. This book makes you feel, takes you back to the time when you saw him score that goal in the World Cup Final (only to start shouting to eventually wake up your entire family) or the one at Stamford Bridge, or just any other Iniesta moment, really. Goosebumps.

Rating it high being a Barcelona fan is understandable, but this has actually been written really really well. Also, Iniesta is the one football player loved internationally, even by the strongest rivals and fans. Hell, the man got a standing ovation at the Bernabeu! Definitely recommended for people interested in football, especially cules.

[Tarinee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity iniesta forever

[Salo Lipartia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ისეთი ბარსელონას გულშემატკივრისთვის, როგორიც მე ვარ, საშინლად საინტერესოა ის ყველაფერი რაც ჩვეულებრივ, ეკრანის მიღმა ხდება, მითუმეტეს თუ ეს დიდი კაპიტნის- ინიესტას მიერაა მოთხრობილი.
ბევრს არაფერს გავაგრძელებ, ვისაც გსურთ წაიკითხოთ ისეთი ამბები, რომელსაც დაგუგვლით ვერ იპოვით, ეს წიგნი თქვენთვისაა. ამაში დასარწმუნებლად შეგიძლიათ უფასოდ წაიკითხოთ პროლოგი არტანუჯის გვერდზე, დანარჩენს თავადაც მიხვდებით.))
Visca el Barca!

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha gustado muchísimo, un libro tremendamente humano, como el protagonista de sus páginas. Iniesta es uno de los deportistas más terrenales que he podido conocer -desde la superficie- y ha sido un lujo poder ver plasmadas sus memorias, ya no solo en el aspecto futbolístico, sino también en el aspecto personal. Como cualquier ser humano, él también tuvo que tocar fondo para después alcanzar el cielo. He disfrutado muchísimo con la lectura, y tanto Ramón Besa como Marcos López realizan una magnífica labor a la hora de retratar la historia del futbolista. El libro está plagado de citas y aportaciones de figuras importantes en la vida de Andrés -una vez más, tanto en el aspecto futbolístico como en lo personal-, y es precioso leer las buenas palabras que todo el mundo tiene para él. Ejemplo de deportista y de calidad humana. "Iniesta de mi vida".

[Katríne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars.

Full review to follow

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed full of insights and anecdotes, as well as accounts from friends and family alike, this important autobiography offers a glimpse into the life of FC Barcelona captain Andrés Iniesta.

For me, Iniesta was a key member of the greatest football team I have ever seen. Coached by perfectionist Pep Guardiola, the 2009 Barça side that won all six trophies it competed for that year set the world alight, playing an exquisite pass-and-move, possession style.

Iniesta played in the centre of the park, operating as a creative engine for those around him - iconic players like Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, and Carles Puyol. Guardiola calls him “one of the greats”, with “a mastery of the relationship between space and time.” He explains: “[Iniesta] knows where he is at every moment. Even in a midfield where he’s surrounded by countless players, he chooses the right path every time. He knows where and when, always. And then he has this very unique ability to pull away. He pulls out, then brakes, then pulls out again, then brakes again.”

With his midfield partner Xavi he formed a formidable duo, which came after a period of time when commentators said they could never play together because of their similarities. Of course they proved the critics otherwise, forming a natural partnership, with Xavi saying: “We didn’t even need to say anything to each other.” He goes on to add: “On the pitch, he is a natural leader, even if he is a quiet one. He never hides. He knows exactly what to do at every moment: when to accelerate, when to slow, when to run, when to pass. He uses space in a way that makes it impossible to get the ball off him and impossible for the opposition to occupy the spaces they want.”

This playing style has put him at the heart of Barça and the Spain national team throughout a golden era. Jumping from major event to major event, with barely a dull moment covered, the authors walk us through the crucial moments in a gilded career.

In 2006 Iniesta won the Champions League in Barça’s Paris final against Arsenal. Then in 2008 came the European Championships win for Spain versus Germany. 2009 saw him feature in that great Barça side that won everything, culminating in the famous Champions League final in Rome against Manchester United. En route to that game, Iniesta scored a late, decisive and world class goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final: without that moment of quality, the six out of six record might never have happened.

But he also suffered a serious injury, something that severely effected his happiness, and he had to work around the clock to be fit for the final as he was determined not to miss it. The injury put him in a dark place, creating fears in him that he talks about in the book, much to his credit, as we come to understand the sportsman in more human detail that we otherwise might.

Then in 2010 came what is perhaps the player’s most famous moment, scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final against Holland in South Africa, which he dedicated to his fellow player and friend Dani Jarque who had passed away the previous year.

More success followed in another Champions League victory, in 2011, once again when facing Manchester United, this time at Wembley Stadium in London, and in 2012 Spain completed its run of three tournaments wins out of three by overcoming Italy in the final in Kiev, Ukraine.

More recently, in 2015, he played in Luis Enrique’s Barça side that won the Champions League against Juventus in Berlin, making it the fourth time Iniesta lifted the trophy. Besides this, he has won La Liga eight times, La Copa del Rey four times, and the FIFA Club World Cup three times. All-in-all an astonishing career by any standards.

The authors of the book do not need to point out that Iniesta is a legend because that is self-evident, nor did they set out to boost the player’s profile, make more money, or keep him in the celebrity limelight. Instead they want to tell his side of the story, and in the process also give a voice to the people he has been close to over the years.

His wife Anna, his mother and father, his sister, his “soul mate” and ex-Barça goalkeeper Victor Valdes, and long-time friend, youth teammate, and Spanish international Fernando Torres are among the many who line up to tell us how much they appreciate Iniesta, as well as the great coaches he has played under, including Vicente del Bosque, Luis Enrique, and of course Guardiola. Nearly everyone who has been around him has something great to say, although it is important to note that the book isn’t just a series of glowing character references padded with accounts of the player’s football victories.

We learn the most from the parts that recount his difficulties. Before this, I had barely heard anything about Iniesta’s life. He is a footballer that does his talking on the pitch. But we learn from the book how sensitive and deep his personality is, and how hard it was for him to leave everything behind at the age of 12 - home, family, and friends - to move to a new city and Barça’s famous La Masia academy.

He talks about the loneliness and how much he missed his family, even though he was ambitious for the opportunities that he knew he wanted in Barcelona. His family, from Fuentealbilla, give their side of the story. Iniesta’s caring father, always sensitive about his son and mindful of what is best for him, tells how upsetting it was to let him go. And his mother likewise talks about how nervous she was for his happiness as a child, having a radically changed path, and how she still is anxious about him personally and every time he plays.

Iniesta also talks at length about all of the sensitive moments in his life, including losing one of his best friends, Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who died playing for his club due to heart failure. We understand that he does not want this book to make people think he is superman, but instead a real person who suffers like we all do.

Co-authors Marcos López and Ramón Besa, who helped Iniesta with this book, explain that they did not want to write “an orthodox biography.” Instead they avoided the way of those authors of autobiographies “being the all-action heroes of their own life stories; spicing up the epic and playing down the doubts and fears.” They wanted to bring a range of people together who know Iniesta to tell us more from their own experiences of the man, and they explain that Iniesta “wanted to play the same role in this book as he plays on the pitch. He picked up the ball and began to play passes and give assists, and he was pleasantly surprised to have details of his own life revealed to him that he had not previously known.”

This is something that other footballers can learn from when writing their autobiographies. In fact, I would go so far as to say this is one of the best footballer autobiographies I have read as it has a fresh and original approach. We learn that Iniesta is a humble and good person, but not because he tells us that. It’s because of what others say about him: others who are given the chance to contribute and add colour to the book.

As a final note I would add that the release of this autobiography by no means indicates that the player’s career is over or coming to an end. There is no reason why Iniesta cannot add even more trophies to what is already an incredible CV, and from his present coach Luis Enrique’s contribution we know that everyone has full faith in him for the years ahead. I look forward to seeing what he adds to his story next.

[Ming Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, a very indepth journey of his career from youth days at Barcelona until he was well established in the team, including his time with the Spanish team. A top football book, for supporters of any team, I really enjoyed this book, well written, in a flowing sequence, easy to read, good editorial standards, a fine book.

[Juan David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy buen libro con cosas no conocidas de ese gran personaje, un poco repetitivo en unos momentos pero también es por lo que piensan muchos de el.

[Simonas Puškorius · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know that Iniesta is both: super player and even better person. However, I've expected more from this biography - a lot of attention was paid only for Stamford Bridge, WC 2010 goals, but there are other interested things about Andres: I've expected more details on life in La Masia, integration to senior Barca team, stories from dressing room, etc.

Summing up - the book itself is worth 3 stars, but I'm giving extra one as I admire Iniesta a lot :)

[Advait · Rating 4 out of 5]

His calm and composed demeanor which is displayed whilst he plays is depicted really well in this book. Andres is one such person that no one can NOT love!
Only issue I had with this was its writing style. As this book has been translated from Catalan to English, the writing did not have that 'punch' to it.

[Mariam Natchkebia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's book about Andres iniesta, one of the great footballer all of the world. Do you think, you are a football fan and especially, fan of Barcelona and know everything about Andres Iniesta?! No, you know only his matches, but behind the football, which we have seen on the screen, there are a lot of unknown stories about Andres, his personalities and kindness, which is the best characteristics, what real good person can have. This story also can show us, how hard was andres' way, which he had passed to become a great footballer.

[Diego Guerra · Rating 1 out of 5]

It pains me to abandon a book without finishing it but I just couldn't be bothered with this one. This isn't really an autobiography - it's just a tedious repetition of a bunch of people praising Iniesta. In the beginning, he says he thinks that's the best way to tell his story. It might be sincere, but it's also the laziest approach to an autobiography I've ever seen: write a short introduction then let people tell the world how amazing you are, over and over again. Andrés Iniesta was a genius of a player and to me has always come across as a nice, humble kind of guy. If you miss him and want to continue to think of him that way, I suggest youtube rather than this book.

[Povilas Vibrantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Artist! What a great title for Iniesta's book! This book is a great reflection of how Iniesta is. Even in his book it's not him who tells the story, it's other people. He gives them this opportunity as another assist, but it's him, who've done all the work. He doesn't need all the spotlight, but those who play with him knows how important he is and how much easier it is when he's on the pitch. Fact, that even Real Madrid players adore him says a lot about Andres and how he is. Although the book isn't very catchy, there aren't a lot of "inside the locker room" stuff, I enjoyed reading.

[Dave Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different type of football autobiography. Unique in that Iniesta himself accounts for less than 5% of the total words with much of it coming from former coaches, family members and teammates. The book still provides an extensive look at the career of Iniesta and explores who the man really is, something which hasn't been achieved before. A great read if you're interested in the 2008-2012 title winning Spain side or the rise of tiki-taka at Barcelona. 4/5.

[Kunal Wagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a football fan, it's a treat to read this! The Magician!! Quiet but deadly!!!

[Greg Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read which gave me a lot of insight into one of the greatest midfielders I've ever seen. Not just for a Barcelona fan but for any football fan. Highly recommended.

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fue muy agradable leer sobre uno de los mejores centrocampistas de la historia, don Andrés tiene estrella

[Quốc Anh Đào · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thừa hưởng nhiệt huyết chơi bóng của cha và sự điềm tĩnh của mẹ, Andres Iniesta dần hoàn thiện các kỹ năng và trở thành một cầu thủ xuất chúng ở hàng tiền vệ Barca. Anh lên đỉnh cao với bàn thắng trong trận bán kết tai tiếng với Chelsea, nhưng ngay sau đó gặp những vấn đề thể chất và tâm lý ở nửa sau năm 2009. Sau tất cả, tiền vệ tài hoa này lại ghi dấu với bàn ấn định chiến thắng trước Hà Lan tại World Cup 2010, trở thành một huyền thoại đích thực.

Là một cầu thủ, Iniesta được đánh giá là “thiên tài” - anh luôn nghĩ trước người khác vài bước, kèm những pha xử lý bóng trong chân đơn giản mà hiệu quả. Tính cách của anh được giới cầu thủ, HLV và chuyên gia nể phục, bởi ở anh có sự trầm lặng, nhưng cũng rất ấm áp - điển hình là lời động viên Pep Guardiola sau màn khởi đầu tệ hại ở mùa giải ăn 6 (2008/09). Với gia đình, anh là niềm tự hào, là nỗi nhớ mong của cha mẹ và em gái, những người phải sống xa Andres từ năm anh 12 tuổi.

Cuốn sách (bản dịch tiếng Việt) sẽ hoàn hảo hơn nếu biên tập chú ý hơn về vị trí thi đấu của Iniesta - “tiền vệ trung tâm” thay vì “trung vệ”.

[Arnav Sethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If it's for Andrés, then no problem; just tell me when."
Don Andrés Iniesta is a 20 out of 10. And as a person he is a two thousand. So glad that I finally got around to knowing his full life story.

Even though technically it is not an autobiography, it is so beautifully written and compiled that I just had to gobble it all up in a day. It has so many gorgeous quotes that for the first time ever, I ended up compiling them in a blog post. Have a look: https://medium.com/@sethiarnav

Rightly called the Harry Potter of the footballing world. The man is and always will be pure magic.

A true idol in this world of arrogant and pompous bigwigs out there.

[Anzig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once in a while you read across a biography that reflect how that man behave on his entire career. One of them is Andres Iniesta.

Andres may not be as phenomenal as Leo Messi or CR7, or not as arrogant as Zlatan. Andres is Andres. The way he moved, the way he talked, the way he caressed the ball, it was just selfless. If he can help you, then why not?

As a superstar, Andres is pictured so humble here. Being surrounded by best players of his generation never made him change a bit. Even won all possible title in span of 10-15 years never make him arrogant. I learnt a lot about humility.

So much learn from this book on how to keep your feet on the ground.

[Mikheil · Rating 2 out of 5]

ინიესტას ცრემლების ანთოლოგია. წიგნი იმდენად ფეხბურთზე არაა, რამდენადაც ინიესტა ყოველ 3 დღეში ერთხელ რომ ტიროდა ბავშვობიდან მოყოლებული.

წიგნის 40% ინიესტას ტირილს ეთმობა სხვადასხვა სიტუაციაში.
მეორე 40% არის ინიესტას დახასიათება და 35-ე გვერდიდან უკვე ყელში ამოგდის ერთი და იგივე ფრაზების კითხვა.

ძალიან ცოტა საფეხბურთო ამბავია. პრაქტიკულად არ არის ბარსელონას ან ესპანეთის შიდა სამზარეულოს დეტალები.

რა შემოქმედიც მოედანზე იყო, მასეთი ყანა გამოდგა ლიტერატურაში. Not recommended

[Tu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its rare to find a player without antifan nowadays, but Andres is. There is no surprise or “big secret” to expect from this book, there are stories that prove our belief in Andres.

He’s really as what we’re seeing from him in reality, on the field and beside the pitch.

This book shows us more “sad, difficult moments” we never knew about him, that helps us understand him more and respect him more.

Super lucky to be able to watch Andres play with the ball, with Barcelona and Spain!!

[Devang malvankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean this book is genuinely as precise and perfect as the man, Andres iniesta himself. There’s less drama and only the real side of Andres’s struggle is being portrayed in here. If you want to read and understand him as a family person, how he takes care of everyone, everything about him with less importance to football is being put out in this book. His tears, joy, anger (yes he did get angry), sacrifices, first days, family and literally everything is in here. Go ahead and read the book out. I’ll take my words back if you don’t feel any goosebumps while reading one of his most endured moments!!

I deducted one star as it ended too soon for me...

[Bookread97 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The complete footballer. Iniesta had it all. Gliding all over the pitch like a ballet dancer and a swift appreciation of space and time, he redefined the game along with Xavi under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.

This book displays- right at the outset- the struggle and hardships any aspiring footballer may encounter throughout his apprenticeship as a teenager. It is definitely a wonderful autobiography and a worthwhile read.

[vlad popescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cea mai frumoasă carte despre viața unui fotbalist, deoarece nu este o biografie, ci un șir de amintiri și declarații ale persoanelor care l-au cunoscut de mic și până acum. Prieteni, familie, dar chiar și rivali, toată lumea vorbește la superlativ despre el, și nu despre fotbalistul Iniesta, ci despre omul Andres.
Este un lucru minunat să descoperi că în spatele unui sportiv, actor, cântăreț c etc se află un om la fel de minunat. Foarte rare asemnea personalități și de aceea sunt de admirat.

[Gerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment of a book, from someone I admire a lot, nothing new in the book. Often frustrating to hear the same story told many times, just by different people in the book. Also this is not an autobiography as suggested in the author being Andreas.

[Chris McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parts about scoring the winner in a World Cup final are absolutely beautiful, emotional, and utterly spine tingling to read.

This alone makes this book worth a read for anyone who has kicked a ball with the dream of being the hero in any kind of important football match.