According to Sport, the 2026 World Cup has rekindled collective memories of Spain's winning night in 2010.

That year, 42-year-old Iniesta led Spain to the world championship.

The player has openly spoken about "how difficult" it was for him when he experienced depression that year. He first made a name for himself on the field at the age of 12, and as an adult, he made a decision that is uncommon for top players: he studied at university while playing football.

At the time, he lived in La Masia and knew that his primary responsibility was football, but Iniesta still wanted to continue his studies in a field he was familiar with. "I am studying INEF," he said when he was 22. He also admitted that he always wanted to study, but football took up too much time: "I always wanted to study, but football always got in the way because there wasn't enough time."

His idea was very practical: "I see it as a help, never an obligation, because now my first responsibility is football." In his opinion, this major is related to sports, so it is easier to stick with: "This is a sports major, which is easier for me to handle. This is a field I am familiar with, so it's easier."

Being a professional player and a university student at the same time is not easy. Iniesta explained it clearly: "I train in the morning, and if there are no gym classes in the afternoon, I go to university. But I go to class less and less." The tight schedule, heavy physical load, and immense pressure from matches made even occasionally attending classes a luxury for him.

Even so, the player still insisted that studying was important to him, but it had to be subordinate to his football career. His self-discipline, planning, and ability to carve out study time from limited hours also reflect his rare intellectual curiosity.

In addition to university courses, Iniesta also wanted to improve his language skills. "I think I can still improve my languages, especially English," he admitted. He then added, "I am very familiar with Spanish and Catalan, but my English needs to be strengthened." He believes this is crucial for his professional and personal future and is aware of the importance of bilingualism in modern football.

Iniesta has explained many times that his childhood was not as easy as most children's, as he was surrounded by the discipline and demands of football from a very young age. Even so, he still clearly remembers which subjects he liked in school: "My favorite subjects were sports and natural sciences." He also remembers his least favorite subject: "I disliked math the most, but it wasn't actually that bad."

These candid remarks show that even outside of football, Iniesta still has an interest and curiosity for learning. This trait has accompanied him throughout his career.

Iniesta's university story is not just an anecdote. It portrays how an athlete strives to transcend football itself during intense competition and the most demanding years of his life. Whether it's his INEF studies, his interest in languages, or his reflections on self-education, it all showcases his self-disciplined, humble, and inquisitive side. At the 2026 World Cup, as Spain looks back on the 2010 championship memory, Iniesta once again reminds people that greatness comes not only from the field but also from a willingness to keep learning.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com