Andrés Iniesta:

Andrés Iniesta: "It’s clear that Barça have a good player in Neymar for years to come"

The midfielder says that the ovation he received at Celtic Park was a beautiful gesture and that his desire is to renew his contract with FC Barcelona

One day after Barça’s return from Celtic Park, where Tata Martino's men won 0-1 thanks to a second half goal from Cesc Fàbregas, Andrés Iniesta sat down with the radio station RAC1 to discuss the current events surrounding the Club and his life.

Classy gesture from the Celtic fans

The midfielder was subbed off in the second half of the match against Celtic for Alex Song, as he trotted off the pitch the fans in Celtic Park gave the player a standing ovation. “It was a surprise, it was very special to feel the applause. I’m very grateful to the people who do that kind of gesture because it comes from the inside, and when it comes from the inside that’s when it’s real,” said Iniesta. “People don’t have the obligation to applaud. To be away from home and to be down a goal and for the people do that... it was emotional for me.”
People don’t have the obligation to applaud. To be away from home and to be down a goal and for the people do that... it was emotional for me
Best showing of the season so far

After the match against Celtic, Cesc and Tata Martino opined that the game was quite possibly the best performance by Barça so far this season. “I agree with Cesc and Martino,” said Iniesta, “it’s not easy when a team defends well. We moved the ball quickly, we created chances, we always try to minimise the chances our opponents make, and yesterday they created very few of them.”  He added: “The team is continuing to grow in the idea of how we’d like to play and in confidence. I think the our hopes and eagerness are intact and we hope to continue like this.”

Staying at Barça, Iniesta’s desire

One of the stories filling the pages of sports newspapers for the past couple of weeks is Iniesta’s contract renewal situation. When asked about the ongoing negotiations, Iniesta said, “the Club’s intention is the same as mine. If the renewal hasn’t happened yet, it’s because it’s not the right time. The only thing I want is for the Club and I to have the same understanding, and that’s how it is.”
The Club’s intention is the same as mine. If the renewal hasn’t happened yet, it’s because it’s not the right time
He then went on to explain: “I’ve always been clear that my beginnings in the first team were very difficult, I always said that I would rather play five minutes with the first team than to be loaned out. Perhaps that desire to succeed in my team is what has allowed me to dedicate my career to the Club that has given everything to me and my family. My objectives and ambitious haven’t changed, they’re the same.”


Neymar, a star for the present and the future
It’s clear that Barça have a good player in Neymar for years to come
Iniesta then talked about Barça’s marquee signing of the summer, Neymar Jr da Silva. “He has a lot to improve,” began the midfielder, “he’s a different kind of player, he’ll be very helpful to us this year. You have to remember that he’s very young and he has a lot to improve upon, but it’s clear that Barça have a good player for years to come.”

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