Paris Saint-Germain take on Italian giants Inter Milan in Champions League final
Iniesta won the competition under the management of PSG boss Luis Enrique
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By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 14:35 EDT, 29 May 2025 | Updated: 14:35 EDT, 29 May 2025
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.
Andres Iniesta helped deliver the Champions League trophy to Munich ahead of the final on Saturday
Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Milan in the showpiece at the Allianz Arena
The legendary Spanish midfielder worked under his compatriot for three seasons at Barcelona
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.
Enrique led Barcelona to their fifth European Cup success after defeating Juventus 3-1 in Berlin a decade ago
The Spanish coach is looking to repeat the feat with PSG, who have never won the Champions League
Fans could hardly control themselves as Iniesta arrived with Europe’s most treasured piece of football silverware
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 41-year-old revealed that his last-gasp goal against Chelsea in 2009 is his favourite Champions League strike
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.'
When put to him that Blues fans have still not forgotten the circumstances of that night at Stamford Bridge, with a shrug, he added: 'Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That's football.'