World Cup 2010 Finals: Andres Iniesta Pays Tribute to Jarque

World Cup 2010 Finals: The Tribute to Dani Jarque – The goal of Andres Iniesta on the 116th minute of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals was not a personal glory to himself or to Spain but it was prepared as a fitting tribute to Spanish football compatriot, Dani Jarque.

Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring during extra-time in the 2010 World Cup football final Netherlands vs. Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. (Photo credit GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

“I wanted to keep Dani with me and with the other teammates. We wanted to pay tribute to him and we thought this was the best opportunity to do so,” says Andres Iniesta.

Dani Jarque was the captain of Espanyol, a competing team with Iniesta’s Barcelona. Despite being enemies in the football team the two developed a deep bond of friendship and had inspired each other.

Iniesta and Jarque also shared similar difficult childhood and life. Iniesta’s parents made great sacrifices to help him fulfill his football dream. If not for them, he would not have be where he is now.

As for Dani Jarque, he’s a star that had gone too soon. “Dani Jarque always with us,” Iniesta’s shirt reads. A reminder to the sad fate of a fallen friend who died at age 26 last August from a heart attack while talking on the phone with his girlfriend.

Today we salute Spain and two great players, Andres Iniesta and Dani Jarque!

Tags: FIFA, Football, Netherlands, Soccer, Spain, World Cup

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