Kiev, July 2 (IANS) Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta was named the player of the Euro 2012 Monday by European football governing body UEFA.
The 28-year-old Barcelona player was a key member of the triumphant Spanish side that defeated Italy in 4-0 in the finals.
The diminutive midfielder failed to score a goal and had just one assist in the tournament. But looking at his influence in Spain’s build-up to all the goals he was awarded the honours.
At the 2010 World Cup too Iniesta played a key role, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands and also being named man of the match.
Iniesta’s club teammate Xavi Hernandez was the player of the tournament in 2008.
Spain have 10 players named in the UEFA Best Team of the Tournament.
UEFA’s 23-man squad of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Manuel Neuer (Germany).
Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Pepe (Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Jordi Alba (Spain).
Midfielders: Daniel De Rossi (Italy), Steven Gerrard (England), Xavi (Spain), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Sami Khedira (Germany), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Xabi Alonso (Spain).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), David Silva (Spain).
