WORLD CUP 2010: Andres Iniesta pays tribute to tragic Daniel Jarque after firing Spain to victory

By Sportsmail Reporter Updated: 04:42 EDT, 12 July 2010

Andres Iniesta dedicated his winning goal in the World Cup final to former Espanyol player Daniel Jarque, who died of a heart attack last year.

Jarque was a friend and former Spain Under 21 team-mate of Iniesta and his sudden death at the age of 26 rocked football last summer.

Iniesta slammed home the only goal of the game as Spain beat Holland in Johannesburg and the Barcelona midfielder immediately wheeled away and revealed a t-shirt with the message Dani Jarque: Siempre con  nosotros'.

Tribute: Spain hero Iniesta displays his message in memory of his friend Jarque

The translation is 'always with us' and Iniesta said: 'I wanted to carry Dani with me and with my other team-mates. We wanted to feel his strength. We wanted to pay tribute to him - and this was the best opportunity to do so.

'This is for Dani, for my family, for all of the people. It is the result of hard work over a long time and some difficult moments.'

Iniesta, who was booked for his celebration,  also gestured to the heavens as he returned to the pitch. 

Breakthrough: Iniesta rattles in Spain's winner with just a few minutes left