World Cup hero Iniesta is happy to make millions of Spaniards happy

Updated on: 14 July,2010 07:39 AM IST |
Agencies |

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the World Cup final against the Netherlands, said yesterday he always believed his side could win the trophy.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the World Cup final against the Netherlands, said yesterday he always believed his side could win the trophy.

"I had a lot of confidence in this team from the very first moment," he told.

Up until the weekend, Iniesta's most famous goal had been an injury-time strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2009, which gave Barcelona passage to the Champions League final, where they beat Manchester United.

And the midfielder is aware Sunday's goal was much more important.

"Every situation has its feelings. The joy I felt that day against Chelsea was the maximum, the same as the other day, maximum joy. But there are only a few teams lucky enough to win the World Cup and it's the biggest tournament there is," he added.

After scoring his goal against Holland in Johannesburg, Iniesta peeled off his shirt to reveal a tribute to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who passed away tragically from a heart attack last year at the age of 26.

"It's always been in my mind to pay tribute to him in some way," Iniesta said.

"He was a footballer and the idea came about before the final.

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