Andres Iniesta has praised Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal for helping him make the breakthrough into the Barcelona first team. Van Gaal was Barca manager when Iniesta made his debut for the Spanish club during the 2002-03 campaign, and the Spain international has admitted he is grateful to Van Gaal for placing trust in him to make his senior debut. 'I think my first team debut was the most important day, Iniesta told Barcelona's YouTube channel. 'It was the most important because I'd been dreaming about it for so long. Louis van Gaal gave Andres Iniesta his Barcelona debut during the 2002-03 season . Iniesta reflected on his impressive career while speaking to Barcelona's YouTube channel . 'I'm grateful to [Louis] van Gaal for his trust and to all the coaches that I had before that taught me and helped me to get the nicest moment that I'd been chasing up to that time.' Iniesta also admitted he took great joy in defeating Chelsea and Manchester United during Barca's run to Champions League success in 2009, admitting his winning goal at Stamford Bridge was one of the highlights of his career. 'I consider the Rome final to have been one of the best finals of all time because of what the final was like and how we got there, Iniesta added. 'Especially after Stamford Bridge and the personal moment I lived with one of the most incredible experiences of my whole career. 'And also because of the circumstances leading up to the game, I had missed the cup final a week and a half before and I was injured, but I always remember that I wanted to play in that final for definite. We got the treble and that led on to achieving more things.' Iniesta scores in injury time at Stamford Bridge to help Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-finals second leg . Iniesta celebrates with team-mate Samuel Eto'o with the draw enough to see Barca progress on away goals . With Lionel Messi looking on, Iniesta mobs Eto'o after Barcelona take the lead against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome . Barcelona would go on to defeat Manchester United 2-0, with Messi (left) scoring the second goal as the Argentine and Iniesta lift the trophy  inside the Stadio Olimpico .
Louis van Gaal handed Andres Iniesta his Barcelona debut . Spaniard thanked the trust the Manchester United manager placed in him . Iniesta claims 2009 Champions League success was one of his best finals . Barcelona defeated Chelsea and Man Utd on the way to Rome victory . Frank Ribery: Van Gaal is a bad man!