ROME, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has been voted as UEFA's best player Thursday, beating teammate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder, who inspired Spain to retain their crown at Euro 2012, won the vote by 53 sports journalists representing each of UEFA's member nations.
Iniesta landed 19 votes to shock favorite Messi, who picked up 17 along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Without my teammates at the Spanish national team and Barcelona I wouldn't have won this individual trophy," he said.
"I feel very privileged to be part of this generation of Spanish footballers," he said.