Latest news with #SCORINGGIRLS
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta sends fans into a frenzy as he delivers the Champions League trophy to Munich ahead of the final between PSG and Inter Milan
Fans in Munich were greated to the appearance of footballing legend Andres Iniesta, who helped deliver the Champions League trophy to the city that will hosting this year's final. The four-time winner partnered with official sponsors FedEx, who delivered European football's most prized piece of silverware from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland to the Champions League festival at the Olympiapark Munich ahead of the final. Iniesta led a procession - named the Walk of Champions - that was made up of stars from the local community, including International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children's, SCORING GIRLS*. Fans could hardly control themselves as the 41-year-old arrived in the Bavarian capital. Those involved in FedEx's Delivering For Success film were all given exclusive access to Iniesta with learning experiences covering education, equipment provision, coaching and career management. 'For me, being on the side of FedEx and working together for this special moment with the UEFA Champions League in this place like Munich is very special, and I'm very happy to be here,' said the legendary former midfielder, who won his fourth and final European crown in Germany a decade ago. Mail Sport had the chance to witness the frenzy that accompanied the Barcelona great's arrival, as well as the fun on offer for fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain 's clash against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena. Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta greets fans at Munich's Olympic Stadium ahead of the 2025 UEFA Champions League final The 41-year-old arrived to much fanfare on Thursday, accompanied by the Champions League trophy, whose delivery he oversaw from Switzerland The Walk of Champions was made up of stars from the local community, including International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children's, SCORING GIRLS* Fans could hardly control themselves as the 41-year-old arrived in the Bavarian capital. Those involved in FedEx's Delivering For Success film were all given exclusive access to Iniesta The legendary Spanish midfielder is a four-time winner of the European Cup, with the last victory coming in Berlin in 2015 There was plenty of fun on offer for fans in Munich at the Champions League festival ahead of the much-anticipated match Italian giants Inter Milan are hoping to put their Serie A pain behind them and lift the trophy for the fourth time, while PSG are bidding for their first triumph Iniesta was named Player of the Match during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Juventus at the Olympiastadion a decade ago Signed jersey of players from every team in this year's competition were on display at the Olympiapark Munich ahead of the final A giant inflatable Champions League trophy welcomed visitors into the park, while games, food stalls and other attarctions were plentiful on the ground
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Andres Iniesta reveals the secret to Luis Enrique's success as he bids to end PSG's Champions League hoodoo - and opens up on THAT goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Ten years after being named the Champions League final's Player of the Match, Andres Iniesta returned to Germany with a message for his manager in that 3-1 win over Juventus, as he takes his new side into Saturday's showpiece. Time has had little effect on the legendary Spanish midfielder, who spent the best part of a decade at the top of the game. While dazzling for the Blaugrana and La Roja, it also failed to impress itself upon him. In Munich on Thursday, it was as if none has passed since those glory days, such was the clamour from fans as he arrived with the Champions League trophy, having overseen its journey from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland with official sponsors FedEx. The procession which the former Spain star led was made up of stars from the local community, including International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children's, SCORING GIRLS*. Fans could hardly control themselves as Iniesta arrived with Europe's most treasured piece of football silverware. Those involved in FedEx's Delivering For Success film were all given exclusive access to Iniesta with learning experiences covering education, equipment provision, coaching and career management. Now 41, and only seven months removed from officially hanging up his boots, the former midfielder still appears more than able to dictate a match. Four years after winning the European Cup for a third time in 2011, the maestro claimed his fourth and final crown under the tutelage of Enrique in a Barca team famed for their era-defining front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. By 2015, his international triumphs were behind him, indeed his equally as iconic midfield partner Xavi had lost his place in the side to Ivan Rakitic. But Iniesta continued to reign supreme and was crucial in sinking the Italians. Speaking at the UEFA Champions Festival at the Olympiapark Munich, Iniesta shed light on the 'special trainer' who is going in search of his second title on Saturday. 'He's a very good coach,' said the World Cup winner. 'He's a very good person and he has a very special way of communicating with the players, communicating his ideas. 'I'm really happy for him that he can be on this stage. I have a good relationship with him and I wish him all the best.' Enrique's PSG head into the final as favourites, having dispatched a hat-trick of Premier League sides on route to their second Champions League final. The monied club are satiate the 14-year obsession of their Qatari owners by clinching European football's top prize. But Iniesta is under no illusions that the task will be a difficult one up against 2021 finalist Inter Milan, adding: 'I would be happy if [Enrique] won but those are two very good teams so we will just have to see. The Spanish coach is looking to repeat the feat with PSG, who have never won the Champions League Hidden behind Iniesta's rye smile and calm demeanour at the Walk of Champions parade in the Bavarian capital remained a burning love for the club where he made his name. To illustrate, when asked to name a starting XI of the best players he has played alongside for club and country, he responded with almost the exact side that dismantled Manchester United in the 2011 final at Wembley - save for himself, ever the modest. When pushed for his favourite current midfielders, he replied with a trio of Blaugrana stars. 'Always Barca,' said the man who made more than 670 appearances for the club, winning nine top-flight titles and six Spanish Cups among other prizes. If not for the otherworldly talents of his former colleague Lionel Messi, he would surely have multiple Ballon d'Or in his trophy cabinet as well. Iniesta spent a total of 22 years at the Nou Camp before his departure in 2018. In that time most goals and assists must blur into one but for the footballing great there is one Champions League strike he values above all others. At the very start of Guardiola era in Catalunya, his side faced a streetwise and determined Chelsea in the semi-final of the competition. After a goalless draw in Spain the initiative was with the Blues, finallist a year prior. And it showed. Sadly, that match is only remembered - on these shores at least - for the outrageous denial of several penalties for the home side by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo. What is often forgotten is the two incredible strikes that produced the 1-1 draw that sent Barca to the final, where they would meet United: a ludicrous volley from Michael Essien and an arrowed last-gasp effort from Iniesta. It was Barcelona's first shot on target in the match. The match is best remembered on these shores for the controversial deniel of several penalties for the home side 'The goal against Chelsea in the semi-final was nice,' he said while desperately trying - and failing - to return a mischievous grin to a blank expression. '[The emotions] were amazing. The people were going crazy it was very nice for us.'
