Spanish football legend and former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta told Spanish newspaper MARCA on Thursday that he believes his compatriots can lift the trophy without him. "It will be very different, the first World Cup that I'm not there as a player," Iniesta said at Tokyo's National Stadium, where he was launching his new brand of football equipment. "I have a strong sense of confidence in this team, the coach, and the group of players," Iniesta said in statements published by the Spanish newspaper Marca. Iniesta added, "Luis Enrique always puts the interest of the group at the fore. The coach should always be the leader of each team. I like the way he manages his teams and his way of getting what he wants from each player. In the end, this is the most important thing."
Luis Enrique always puts the interest of the group at the fore. The coach should always be the leader of each team. Regarding Luis Enrique's anger at the media, Iniesta commented, "It has always been like this. This is his nature. It is not a negative or positive thing. Everyone has his own way of conveying his thoughts and expression."