Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said departing Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta helped him to understand football better as he led tributes to the veteran midfielder, who announced his departure after 16 glorious years at the Nou Camp.
Iniesta pulled the strings in the middle of the pitch alongside Xavi Hernandez when Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona for four years, winning three La Liga titles, two domestic cups and two Champions League triumphs.
“I want to say thank you. He helped me understand the game better, just watching him and what he does on the football pitch,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.
It was Iniesta who scored the crucial late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2009 to send Barcelona into the Champions League final. The Spaniard then shrugged off an injury to help the Catalans outclass Manchester United in Rome to win the trophy.
He was also crucial to Barca beating United again in the 2011 final.
“I could say a lot of things but basically the pleasure of seeing him train, how everything was easy, I think the most impressive thing about him is how naturally he played,” added Guardiola.
“That is very difficult to find in a football player.”
The Spain midfielder also received praise from Zinedine Zidane, coach of Barca’s rivals Real Madrid.
“It’s difficult for me and for anyone who likes football. I don’t see him as a Barcelona player but a football man,” Zidane said.
“He is charming, very reserved and I like people like that. I don’t know him well but I only have good words for him and I wish him all the best as a player and as a person.”
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said Iniesta was still one of the best players around and added he is rare in receiving universal adoration.