8. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Pictured here alongside more glamorous stars Cristiano Ronaldo and his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta is actually regarded by many as being the true genius in making Barcelona and Spain tick. The 29-year-old has been a major part in some of the most successful periods in the history of both his club and national team, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles with Barca, and helping Spain dominate the international stage with three major tournament wins in a row, starting with Euro 2008, followed up by the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where it was his goal that won Spain the final against Holland, and again in Euro 2012.
Iniesta is almost the embodiment of the footballing philosophies of both Barcelona and Spain, with his passing, vision, intelligence and technique making him the perfect midfielder for both sides in their ‘tiki-taka’ style, which has earned both teams great plaudits over the last few years as they have swept all before them.
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, Iniesta has never commanded a transfer fee, though his market value is estimated at around £57m, though it would likely take a great deal more to convince Barcelona to sell him.
A boyhood Albacete fan, Iniesta is a majority shareholder at the struggling Segunda Division club, with his brand of wines appearing on their shirts as a sponsor. He also has an endorsement deal with Spanish ice cream brand Kalise. Clearly a capable businessman as well as immensely talented footballer, it’s no surprise to see Iniesta up there with the most valuable footballers in the world.