sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Andres Iniesta didn't hesitate when naming his dream five-a-side team including Man Utd and Real Madrid legends
Home>Football>Football News
Published 17:59 1 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Andres Iniesta didn't hesitate when naming his dream five-a-side team including Man Utd and Real Madrid legends

The former Barcelona man left some notable names out of his side.

Luke Davies

Luke Davies

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Andres Iniesta once revealed his dream five-a-side team and some of the Spanish legend's choices will raise eyebrows.

The 2010 World Cup winner has confirmed he will retire on October 8 after a career spanning over two decades. The former Spain midfielder was part of the 2008-2012 Barcelona team, managed by Pep Guardiola, that dominated the Spanish domestic scene and European football.

His impressive trophy haul includes nine La Liga crowns, six Copa del Reys, four Champions Leagues and even a J1 League with Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he has played most of his football since leaving Barcelona in 2018.

For the last year, Iniesta has plied his trade in the United Arab Emirates with Emirates Club but has now decided to call time on his career.

Advert

The 40-year-old has played with the very best footballers of his generation, he revealed his dream team in an interview with Barcelona.com back in 2017 and included four high-profile names alongside himself in the XI.

Manchester United fans will be pleased with his choice of goalkeeper after he opted to pick legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

"In goal, I would say Peter Schmeichel, because I think of him as one of the greatest in history," Iniesta said.

"When I was younger, I was drawn to his physical power and incredible saves.

"I would have loved to play with him.

"In defence, I would say Paolo Maldini for everything he has represented for Italy, his club and throughout his whole life.

"His journey, the trophies he's won, his way of doing things — I would have loved to share a changing room with him."

Moving into Iniesta’s domain of the midfielder engine room, he could not help but go for a former Barcelona man, saying: "Michael Laudrup is my midfielder because he is one of my idols.

Andres Iniesta has played in Japan since
Andres Iniesta has played in Japan since

"It would have been incredible to play with him — even for a second.

"His was of playing, of doing things, his style, his class."

Up top, he went for another former Barca player.

"And I would have loved Ronaldo in attack as I believe him to be one of the best in the world," he revealed.

“In 1996, when I was at Barcelona, it was the year he arrived at the club and he left me in awe.

"He impressed the whole world and later won many, many things.

"He was the difference in every team he played for."

Supporters may be surprised that the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi are missing from the side, but the selection was based on the players he did not share the pitch with.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta

Luke Davies
Luke Davies

Journalist with expertise covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA.

X

@lukedaviesmedia

Recommended reads

'I wanted to give back to the sport that gave me everything' - Ashley Cole is finding himself in first manager jobGettyAn interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'Getty ImagesMichael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    Yaya Toure set to land first managerial job with Champions League club as Man City legend 'agrees terms'

    Man City icon Toure retired from professional football back in 2022.

    Football
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Man Utd make final Marcus Rashford transfer decision amid Premier League interest

    Rashford is on loan at Barcelona until June 30.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    'I wanted to give back to the sport that gave me everything' - Ashley Cole is finding himself in first manager job

    After a glittering playing career, Ashley Cole took his first steps into management in March.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    11 hours ago

    Bayern Munich 'explore' transfer for Liverpool star as unthinkable move emerges days into Iraola reign

    Iraola may be facing a huge dilemma just one day after being announced as Liverpool's boss.

    Football
  • Lionel Messi said the same eight words to Andres Iniesta whenever a game got difficult and it almost never failed
  • Alexander Isak snubbed Viktor Gyokeres when naming dream five-a-side team of footballers he's played with
  • Duncan Ferguson didn't stutter when naming his five hardest opponents including Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal legends
  • Player who Zinedine Zidane said was 'robbed' of winning the Ballon d'Or had cold response when asked about it