SUPERSTAR WOULD CHANGE A-LEAGUE
Iniesta calibre signing would help football evolve
FOOTBALL: Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest midfielders to have ever laced up a pair of football boots.
A technically gifted superstar who has won multiple titles on the biggest stages – the type of player that can change a game in the blink of an eye.
And he’s exactly the type of player Football Federation Australia should invest their $3million war chest in.
“It (the extra FFA funding) is a fantastic idea,” Football Queensland South West official Matt Proctor said.
“If an A-League club were able to sign Iniesta it would generate massive interest in the game.
“You only have to look at what happened when David Beckham moved to the MLS in 2007.
“His signing immediately raised the profile of the game in the United States and was a massive boost for the sport.
While speculation has heavily linked Iniesta to Japanese club Vissel Kobe, Proctor believes the “talk” is still a positive for the A-League and Australia.
“The fact we have been spoken about as a potential destination for Iniesta is great,” Proctor said.
“I think we missed a trick when Del Piero was here – he’s a superstar and could’ve changed the face of the game even more in Australia.
“If you can attract those type of players then it creates interest from other similar players.”
A strong domestic competition then helps the game evolve on and off the field according to Proctor.
“A strong competition brings more fans and support to the game,” Proctor said.
“The more exposure, interest and financial support it receives the better it is at all levels.
“From the juniors right through.”
IF AN A-LEAGUE CLUB WERE ABLE TO SIGN INIESTA IT WOULD GENERATE MASSIVE INTEREST IN THE GAME.
FOOTBALL QUEENSLAND SOUTH WEST OFFICIAL MATT PROCTOR