Barcelona vs Real Madrid - El Clasico combined XI

Barcelona vs Real Madrid – El Clasico combined XI

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spanish league 'Clasico' football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 23, 2014. Barcelona won 4-3. AFP PHOTO/ GERARD JULIEN (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images) /

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VALENCIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Enzo Perez of Valencia CF during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Mestalla stadium on October 22, 2016 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Centre Midfield – Andres Iniesta, Barcelona

Returning from a long-term injury in time for this game, Iniesta is a player who needs next to no introduction or explanation as to why he makes this team.

But here goes anyway.

Despite scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final or being named man of the match in the Euro 2012 final, amongst so many other accolades, Iniesta probably deserves more recognition than he has received over the course of his career.

Thanks to the continued fight for the Ballon d’Or between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the award has not gone to other deserving players – including Iniesta.

Without him, football would not be the same in Barcelona, Spain or anywhere. Gracias Andres, here’s your shirt, take a seat.

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