Andres Iniesta “put Fuentealbilla on the world map.” This was stated by Ángel Salmerón, former mayor of this municipality of 1,800 inhabitants in the province of Albacete where the great footballer was born who publicly announced this Tuesday his retirement at the age of 40.
Salmerón believes that Iniesta “was a very special footballer because of the values he represents, which are very sporting and human values from which every young person in the city can be inspired.” And he recalled his most important goal, that of extra time in the 2010 World Cup final: “We experienced it here, in front of a giant screen and it was great, all the emotions in the city overflowed” .
In addition to the testimony of the former mayor, that of several neighbors. José María Posadas, who was a member of the management of the Barcelona Supporters’ Club during the 2010 World Cup, classified the player as “the most representative character of this city in recent years, since he has also always carried the name of Fuentealbilla at all levels.” ; “He is someone fundamental in the history of the city.”
“Andrés’ story is astonishing. I remember going to his grandfather’s bar when he was little and he was always with the ball and causing trouble. When he was eleven or twelve years old, he went to Albacete to give football lessons and he missed lessons, his father was told he was crazy.“. “But his father made it clear,” adds Posadas, “he saw something in him from the start. The father was also a good footballer and knew what to have. We saw it well, even if reaching the first football line said it all.
For his part, Julio Romero assures that people are saddened by the end of the midfielder’s long career, but “we must applaud him as much as we need, he deserved it”. He also knew the player in his early days, because “he was five years old and we already saw him. “He had it in his blood, he was born with the ball at his feet and he plays well, cleanly.”
In Fuentealbilla there are two statues of Iniesta and a museum (in the old family bar) dedicated to his career. “The city is now better known than before, there are tourists who come here for that. Iniesta will die and we will still know that thanks to Fuentealbilla, thanks to a player from here, we will have a World Cup,” predicts Romero.
