Lukaku, Lingard, and More: 4 Footballers Who Stand in Stark Contrast to Andres Iniesta

When media and fans draw comparisons between promising footballers and the legendary Andres Iniesta, it often happens prematurely and sometimes in rather comical ways. Here are some examples of such comparisons that might make you chuckle.

1. Romelu Lukaku: In 2019, Romelu Lukaku received a rather unexpected comparison to Iniesta after one decent pass during a 0-0 draw with Liverpool. Former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov said, “Lukaku is capable of using the space really well when he drifts left or right and has made a few assists from those positions. The ball Lukaku played for Lingard, there aren’t many players who can make that pass. It was like watching Xavi or Iniesta! Lukaku is not one-dimensional like some people assume.”
2. Arthur Melo: Before Arthur’s move to Barcelona in 2018, his Gremio teammate Walter Kannemann compared him to Iniesta, saying, “Arthur surprised me from the beginning. It’s very difficult to take the ball from him, and I think Barca were right to sign him. He was compared with Iniesta when he was younger.” However, Arthur’s time at Barca was short-lived, and he later admitted that leaving the club was a mistake.
3. Ethan Galbraith: Ethan Galbraith, a Northern Irish midfielder who played at Manchester United, was once dubbed “our little Iniesta or Xavi” by former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough. Despite the praise, Ethan made just one senior appearance for Manchester United and left the club permanently.
4. Jesse Lingard: Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen likened Jesse Lingard to Iniesta, saying, “The difference with Jesse is that he was always the English version of Iniesta. He can play in the pockets, he’s very mobile and very agile. He can beat a man and he’s good in combination play.” Lingard has had his moments but hasn’t quite reached the heights of Iniesta’s career.
5. Eden Hazard: Before a Champions League clash between Barcelona and Chelsea in 2018, comparisons between the finest players of both sides, including Eden Hazard, were inevitable. Chelsea’s head coach at the time, Antonio Conte, had to clarify that Hazard couldn’t be compared to Iniesta due to their different roles on the pitch. Conte emphasized that Iniesta was more of a thinking midfielder, while Hazard played as a number 10 or false No 9.

In the world of football, comparisons are often drawn between players, but it’s important to remember that each player is unique and brings their own style and strengths to the game. Comparing anyone to the likes of Andres Iniesta is a tall order, given his legendary status in the sport.