RAS AL KHAIMAH, 20th May, 2024 (WAM) -- Spanish football star and Emirates Club player Andrés Iniesta has affirmed Al Ain's strong chances of winning the AFC Champions League title when they meet Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan next Saturday at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Iniesta said that UAE football is on the right track for development and needs more attention to academies and the development stages of Emirati players.
He also believes that Real Madrid is the closest team to winning the UEFA Champions League title this season.
On the other hand, Iniesta welcomed the possibility of continuing with Emirates Club as a player in the upcoming season, whether participating in the Pro League or the First Division. He pointed out that his team still has the potential to remain in the top flight.
The Spanish football star, born on 11th May, 1984, spoke in his statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) about many important topics, including his experience in the UAE league, his future in football, the most important goal he scored in his historic career, the best players in the world at the moment, the best coaches who led his career to stardom, the inspiring experience of Manchester City in football, his continuing relationship with stars Lionel Messi, Xavi, Pedro, Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Busquets, and the best stars he has played alongside in his long career.
Andrés Iniesta said, “Me and my family are very happy to be here. This is a new challenge. We are looking forward to doing well and helping Emirates Club to achieve, and we are happy to be in the UAE.”
He continued, “Before coming here, I didn't know it so well. I think that like all projects, there are good things and things that can be improved. I want to try to help football here, help my club be a reference, and try to contribute to it with my experience.”
He added, "Being here means a lot to me, to help the team and develop football in the club through my experiences and what I have learned in my long career, so that it becomes a model to follow in the future. It may take some time, but we will definitely reach what we want under the great patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and the insightful management led by Youssef Abdullah Al-Batran, Chairman of the Emirates Club, which has an outstanding development project."
Regarding what UAE football needs to reach the international stage, the global star said, “One of the most important things would be to give a lot of value to the academy, to the local player, to the player of the country. From there, all the teams have foreign players that help, and together, they make football grow. Things are already being done to do that.”
Asked about what the Emirates Club needs in the next phase to stay in the professional league, he said, “We need to do things better. It's a good challenge to try to improve. We have improved in the team and in other areas. We hope to be in the UAE Pro League next year. I think in a few years, we can be a reference club on this continent.”
On whether he will be staying with the team next season, he said, “I'm grateful to have this opportunity and to be able to help the club grow. There are many things to improve. Every day, I try to give my best to help my club. Anyone knows that they can count on me for whatever they need. I'm happy. Even the year was difficult, but there were also positive things.”
Regarding Al Ain's chances of winning the AFC Champions League, Andrés Iniesta said, “The final is open, it's a 2-1 result, Al Ain have proved to be a great team that has done very well, eliminating Al Nasr and Al Hilal, Yokohama FC is a strong team but there are options, especially in the second leg in Al Ain, which will be a nice game.”
About FC Barcelona not retaining the La Liga title and being knocked out of the Champions League this season, he said, “I think they are different times, it's not an easy time but hopefully they can be at the top in Europe or titles so everyone can be happy, but I think they are on a good way to do it.”
On his predictions for the competition for the UEFA Champions League title and the chances of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund winning the title, he said, “A priori it could be that Real Madrid is favourites because of their history and everything that club means but in a final anything can happen; Borussia Dortmund have had a very good Champions League, they are in a very good moment, and for sure they can have their chances.”
Regarding his future in football after retirement and whether he will move into coaching, management, or football analysis, he said, “I would like to be able to have the title of coach and once I finish playing football I will do it. It's something I have in mind for the future.”
About the Spanish national team and whether it can repeat the achievements of the generation of Iniesta, Xavi, and Puyol by winning the World Cup and the European Championship, he said, “It's similar to Barcelona, different players, different stages. Spain has a good group of players. Let's see what happens in the next European Championship, and from there, hopefully, they will be close to winning the title.”
As for his memories of the goal he scored in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands in the dying minutes of the second half of extra time, and whether he considers it the most important in his career, Andrés Iniesta said, “Obviously to be able to win a World Cup, to score that goal, it's history, it's something unique for your country, for your national team, there's nothing bigger than that. During my career, there have been moments with both the Spanish national team and Barcelona.”
On the best football player he has played alongside and enjoyed football with, he said, "The best player for me has to be Messi. He's a wonderful player in every aspect. I maintain contact with Leo, Luis, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Pujol, and many other teammates'
Regarding the continued competition between Messi and Ronaldo for 15 years for the title of the best in the world, he said, "Indeed, it was a wonderful rivalry, especially when one of them was in Barcelona and the other in Real Madrid. But now they are in different teams and different regions, Messi in Miami and Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Things are different now, not like before when Messi was in Barcelona and Ronaldo in Real Madrid. People were happy to enjoy these two legends."
Regarding the best players in the world at the moment from his perspective and those he enjoys following, Andrés Iniesta said, “I wouldn't know. Obviously, at Real Madrid, there are good players and also Barcelona. I would stay with Pedri, with Gabi, well also Kevin De Bruyne is having a very good season.”
Giving his opinion about Manchester City's experience and the significant transformation the club underwent with the Abu Dhabi era starting from 2008, he said, 'The growth of Manchester City over the years is truly inspiring. They've had exceptional coaches, especially in the last few years with Guardiola. Their transformation in quality is evident, and they have all the elements to achieve what they have - winning the Champions League, titles, and leagues."
Regarding the best coach he worked under and who helped him in his career, Andrés Iniesta said, “For me, Guardiola was my idol when I was a kid. I have been coached by him, and we have won titles together. We have lived [through] some of the best periods of Barcelona. He is a different coach, unique, and spectacular. In the places he has been, Barcelona, Germany, and England, he has always left his mark. Every coach has his importance. I debuted with Louis Van Gaal, so he is a very important coach. Then I had Rijkaard, Luis Enrique, Guardiola, Del Bosque, Valverde, and Luis Aragones. Each coach has been important to me at a particular time.”