Cesc Fàbregas
Guardiola's playing style, which relied on creativity, technique and ball movement, rather than physicality and pace, inspired several future diminutive Spanish playmaking midfielders, such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Cesc Fàbregas, with the latter describing him as his "idol". Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta once described Guardiola as "the best central midfielder in our history."