France Football magazine has apologised to an FC Barcelona legend for never awarding him the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy.
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The French publication has handed out the award to the best footballer of the season since 1956, and playmaker Andres Iniesta has lost out twice to teammate Lionel Messi, in 2010 and 2012, despite the Spaniard winning the European Championship and the FIFA World Cup during that period.
The magazine's editor, Pascal Ferre, has now stated his belief that his organisation has made a huge error in snubbing Iniesta for the coveted prize via a piece titled "Perdon, Andres" ("Sorry, Andres").
"He is the best game facilitator of all time," Ferre wrote, as quoted by The Sun.
"Most of his contemporaries complicate their lives, but he has had fun for about 15 years, simplifying everything, without any conceited bad thoughts, just to make the game live.
"Iniesta's talent is to invent for others. Without him, Messi would have gotten tired much faster at Barca.
"His altruism has surely deprived him of even greater recognition. Among the great absences in the Golden Ball prize list, his is painful."
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Iniesta has made 670 appearances for the Blaugrana so far in his career, scoring 57 goals and assisting a further 141 strikes.
Do you think Iniesta deserved to win at least one Ballon d'Or? Have your say in the comments section below.
