Iniesta named best player in Europe

Andres Iniesta has been voted the winner of the 2011/12 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, the FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Andr?s Iniesta has been voted the 2011/12 winner of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in Monaco. The FC Barcelona midfielder, who helped Spain defend their UEFA European Championship title this summer, finished ahead of club-mate Lionel Messi, last year’s inaugural winner, and Real Madrid CF’s Cristiano Ronaldo in a poll of sports journalists representing each of UEFA’s member national associations. Iniesta collected his prize following the UEFA Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The 28-year-old was in inspired form for Spain at UEFA EURO 2012: he was named Best Player of the Tournament after starting all six games and was also included in the Team of the Tournament. Iniesta also broke Emilio Butragueno’s record of 50 Liga matches without defeat last term. He finally ended up on the losing side in game 56 when Real Madrid CF triumphed 1-0 at the Camp Nou in April. The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award was born out of an initiative by UEFA President Michel Platini and has the intention of reviving the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award. For the vote, players were judged by their performances during the 2011/12 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.