Andres Iniesta UEFA Best Player

Andrés 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 today's UEFA Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and said: "I'm very happy to receive such recognition. As I always say, such awards for one individual can't be achieved without the whole team. So it's a sensation that I want to share with my team-mates at the club, and in the national team. It's recognition for the work that you have done well, and that people are proud and have faith in what you do."

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 Butragueño'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 2-1 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.

How the journalists voted:

1 Andrés Iniesta (ESP) – FC Barcelona (19 votes)

2 Lionel Messi (ARG) – FC Barcelona (17 votes)

Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) – Real Madrid CF (17 votes)

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Andres Iniesta - Player of EURO 2012

Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta was named player of Euro 2012 by Uefa following his side's incredible 4-0 victory over Italy that saw them retain their European crown.

The 28-year-old – who was man of the match in the final – was selected by a technical committee made up of 11 people.

Whilst the Barcelona star failed to score and set up just one of the Spaniards' goals through the tournament, he won the award for his overall influence and effect on the Spanish attacking play.

His one assist, however, was a crucial one as it set up Jesus Navas for the only goal in the final group game against Croatia while his pass to Cesc Fabregas led to the first goal in the final – Fabregas's cross being headed home by David Silva.

Iniesta, who prior to the final was battling out the player of the tournament award with Andrea Pirlo, succeeds compatriot and Barcelona team-mate Xavi, who won the award at the 2008 edition.

Iniesta, who was also their goalscoring hero in the 1-0 win over the Dutch in the 2010 World Cup final, was one of 10 Spaniards to figure in the 23-man squad of the tournament.

Spain's victory saw them become the first national side to win an unprecedented three successive major titles having also won Euro 2008.

In all 10 of Spain's first choice XI were named in the squad, with just right-back Alvaro Arbeloa missing out.

The only England player to be included was captain Steven Gerrard.

The Uefa squad of Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Pepe (Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Jordi Alba (Spain)

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Italy), Steven Gerrard (England), Xavi (Spain), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Sami Khedira (Germany), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Xabi Alonso (Spain)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Zlatan Ibrahimovoic (Sweden), David Silva (Spain)

Iniesta Rejects Boring System

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Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has rejected claims his team's playing style is boring ahead of their Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal.

Iniesta insists Spain's defensive-minded opponents are to blame for games that have been low on goalmouth drama.

"When a team always wants to attack against an opponent who shuts up shop, football is not as attractive as when the game is open," he said.

"Our style of play has led us to success, to winning titles."

Spain's possession-based style, known as "tiki-taka", has helped them win the 2008 European Championship and 2010 World Cup.

But at Euro 2012, they have come in for criticism for lacking attacking intent and strangling the life out of games.

Coach Vicente Del Bosque has opted not to field a centre-forward in two of their four games, while their 2-0 quarter-final victory over France was more routine than ravishing.

Iniesta, whose extra-time goal sealed a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, said Spain would not be changing their winning formula.

"Football's so great because not everyone likes the same thing, we don't have to all agree on everything," he said.

"For us, the play that we have, the way we have of doing things, is what has led us to our success, to winning titles.

"We feel identified with our style of play, and a few years ago this style changed the history of Spain for good."

Del Bosque backed up his players' stance, dismissing the idea that Spain have taken a step back since 2010.

"Of course we don't want to stagnate," he said. "We want to go forward, and winning two trophies is proof of our qualities.

"We've got our own style. People might not like it, but it's a style that brought us success. And people are always looking for things to complain about."

Iniesta also played down concerns over the fact Portugal have had an extra two days of rest before the semi-final at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

"At this stage what we want to do is play, not think about those two days," he said.

"The competition is set up like that, at other times we will have more of a break than another team. Right now we shouldn't be thinking about tiredness, but of playing well, of being precise, efficient and we can think about tiredness when the competition is over."

Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, but lost 4-0 to their Iberian neighbours in a Lisbon friendly in November of the same year.

Del Bosque knows what to expect from opponents who have progressed to the last four through a fast, counter-attacking game, with wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani to the fore.

"They are very stable, they have stuck with the same starting line-up and don't except any change except for (the injured striker Helder) Postiga," he said.

"They are stable and their coach (Paulo Bento) really knows what he is doing. We will see if they do something new but I'm expecting the same Portugal we saw in the other four games."