Iniesta: Uefa prize belongs to everyone in Barcelona

Posted Monday, September 03, 2012 by Goal.com

The dynamic midfielder emphasised that the award he received on Friday was not just his own, while demanding more cutting edge in front of goal as Barca beat Valencia 1-0

Barcelona's newly-crowned Uefa Best Player in Europe Andres Iniesta praised team mates and supporters after being honoured in front of the Camp Nou before Sunday's victory over Valencia.

The midfielder started from the bench as Barca held on for a narrow 1-0 victory against Los Che, Adriano scoring the only goal of the game in the first half with a long-range effort.

The win gives the club a maximum haul of nine points from their first three games, leaving them two points clear at the top of the table.

Accompanied by his wife and daughter, Iniesta made the symbolic gesture of handing his award to the Camp Nou crowd before kick off; and speaking after the win, the humble star explained what the prize meant to him and everyone at the club.

"It is another moment to remember. The fans have seen me grow here for a long time and I have a very special affection for them," he told reporters at the final whistle.

"But it is now in the past. We have to continue in this fashion. The most important thing is to be there for this type of prize. It is a prize for all the players who have always been there."

Turning to Sunday's triumph, Iniesta lamented the chances missed by his team and urged them to be more ruthless in front of goal.

"The key was to take the game. We could have won more comfortably, above all in the first half. We are pleased because we still have the advantage. When you have the chances you have to take them because if not, you will suffer," he pointed out.

Iniesta beat Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Lionel Messi to the title, the two tied in joint second behind the Fuentealbilla native.