Barcelona Midfielder Andres Iniesta Steals The Moment Of 2010 With Dignity

With the year 2010 heading to a slow death, it has provided us with a number of beautiful moments from the world of football. It was another year when dreams were wrecked for some while some held trophies aloft. The World Cup was certainly one of the most important events in the year and Spain emerged triumphant at the end of it on July 11, 2010 through a well taken goal from Andres Iniesta.

There were many moments of glory like the goals from Diego Milito which sealed the historic Champions League victory for Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan and the goal from Giovanni van Bronckhorst for Netherlands in his penultimate game before retirement. There were moments of pure emotion which can evoke both good and bad memories.

But the moment for which the year 2010 will be remembered for will be that superb goal scored by Andres Iniesta which will go down as Spain's greatest footballing moment. The La Roja had not won the World Championship before this and after the demoralizing defeat against Switzerland, they faced an uphill task. But they conquered it as a team which will go down as one of the best to have played in the competition.

It had been a game of flying tempers and tackles but there was not too many moments of brilliance in the game. It was a decent cross by Fernando Torres which was not cleared by the Dutch defence (who were weakened by the sending-off by Heitinga) and the loose ball was won by Cesc Fabregas. The Arsenal midfielder threaded a good pass to the Barcelona midfielder who slotted it past Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenberg.

It brought joy to millions of Spaniards all over the world and it will forever be remembered. The Barcelona midfielder had been one of the best players for Spain and proved why he is a player who has the big game mentality by turning up when his team needed the goal desperately. He is a man of few words and is widely respected for his attitude.

He could have done so many things to celebrate the goal which is arguably the most important one in his life so far but he did what brings a smile to everyone's face. He removed his shirt to reveal the message " Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros " which translates to "Dani Jarque always with us."

Dani Jarque was a Espanyol player who suffered a heart attack which led to his death at the age of 26. The Spanish midfielder also spoke about his deceased compatriot after the final and it was a touching gesture which was applauded by all. In the recently concluded game against Espanyol, the Barcelona midfielder was given a standing ovation at the home of their fierce rivals' for that gesture.

Also, it must be noted that Real Madrid right back Sergio Ramos and Sevilla winger Jesus Navas wore T-shirts bearing the name of another deceased player Antonio Puerta. These are the sort of gestures which tend to go way beyond the world of football.

Andres Iniesta's gesture to dedicate his moment in the limelight to Dani Jarque will go down in history as one of the best moments in football and it will be the moment which 2010 will be remembered for.