The 2010 World Cup win for Spain was a historic moment for the whole of Spanish Football, it also carried a deep emotional connection from Andrés Iniesta. Not many know about Andrés Iniesta’s celebration in the 2010 World Cup Final after he scored the winning goal. Spain reached the final of the 2010 World Cup with complete La Masia domination, their contribution being the majority. People only know about Spain’s overall performance and the thrilling final they won against Netherlands. The main point people talk about the final is Iniesta’s goal.
Whenever people hear about the 2010 World Cup, the first thing that pops up in their mind is Iniesta’s goal that created the difference in the game, and his iconic celebration when he took of his jersey. But no one talks about the message his undershirt carried and it’s impact on world football.
Dani Jarque
Dani Jarque, former captain of La Liga side Espanyol, tragically passed away in 2009 due to a heart attack during pre-season training. Dani was a close friend of Iniesta, his sudden death left a long-lasting impact on the whole football world, especially on Iniesta. It added deep humanity to the game of football, reminding the fans worldwide of the personal stories behind the game. The gesture not only gave tribute to a friend but also elevated the moment into a timeless symbol of respect and deep emotion.
One example of a player influenced by Iniesta’s tribute is Kylian Mbappé, who paid tribute to his former youth teammate Lucas Moura after scoring in a Ligue 1 match. Moura had suffered a long-term injury, and Mbappé lifted his shirt to reveal a message of support, showing Iniesta’s style of heartfelt celebration.
The Celebration
When Iniesta scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, Iniesta removed his Spanish jersey to reveal an undershirt with the words “Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros” (“Dani Jarque always with us”).
I believe, this gesture by Iniesta left a mark on everyone’s heart, reminding everyone football is more than just a sport. This gesture was all about emotion and friendship. To this day, the celebration remains one of the most heart-touching moments in football history, not only showing the victory but also the connection between humans. These type of moments and events are highly rare in sports around the world, it actually reminds people of the emotional connect sports have with personal life. This is a very iconic celebration and people should also recognize this as a symbol of love and friendship.