06.03.2014 15:16 h

Football: Spain confident of more World Cup glory - Iniesta

Terence Kongolo zet zijn verdediging neer tijdens Feyenoord - Ajax. (2-3-2014)
Terence Kongolo zet zijn verdediging neer tijdens Feyenoord - Ajax. (2-3-2014)

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta believes his country can continue their unprecedented run of success with a fourth consecutive major tournament win at the World Cup in Brazil later this year.

Iniesta scored the solitary goal in the 2010 final against the Netherlands to give La Roja their first ever World Cup and was also a key member of the sides that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Vicente del Bosque's men have been handed a handed a difficult group alongside the Dutch once more, Chile and Australia for the showpiece event in Brazil.

However, Iniesta is hoping to relive the joy he experienced after netting the most important goal of his career in Johannesburg four years ago.

"It is the greatest feeling of happiness, joy and pride to be able to score the goal and win a World Cup, which is something very few countries have won," he said as he helped launch Nike's new Magista boot for the World Cup on Thursday.

"It was a beautiful thing and now we have the chance to defend it.

"We are going with the intention to retain it. We know we have to go step by step because a World Cup is incredibly difficult, but I think we should be confident that we will be able to do something significant at the World Cup."

Before Iniesta even gets to Brazil, though, he could collect another few medals as Barcelona are still alive in three competitions.

The club's long-serving captain Carles Puyol announced earlier this week that he would leave the club at the end of the current campaign after being plagued by injuries in the last couple of seasons.

And Iniesta said Puyol's departure would provide even more motivation to end the season successfully in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

"There is no one who represents what he does. It is sad news for what he is as a player and a person.

"We will try between now and the end of the season to ensure he leaves on a high note.

"We have the highest expectations in all three competitions. We have the desire and wish to win titles and we will fight until the end to achieve it."