Andres Iniesta is the jewel in the crown of the Barcelona midfield and is a maestro worthy of the greatest of honours. He's won everything there is to win as a football playing in the Liga BBVA and yet there's only one thing he can lose to: time. He is not getting younger and the number of appearances he's making for the side can soon reduce just like his former partner in the centre: Xavi.
We look at five of the best midfielders in world football who could adequately replace the Spaniard magician in the future at the heart of Barcelona's midfield – excluding those who currently ply their trade for Liga rivals, Real Madrid:

#5 Denis Suarez


Denis Suarez is a potential long-term prospect at the centre of midfield. He's been with Barcelona throughout his youth – until he was old Villareal CF in the summer of this season – and learnt the ways of the club given the time he's spent at La Masia and the occasional training sessions with the Barcelona first team.
Suarez is armed with a vision that could potential go on to come close to Iniesta's on the field and his turn of pace when on the ball allows him to get past players with ease. Throughout all his time at La Masia, Suarez racked up an average of 82% pass completion rate in all the levels of competition. Iniesta, meanwhile, averages a mammoth 89.8% in all competitions both domestic and European.
Denis still has a long way to go in his development and with Luis Enrique hinting back in December that he's willing to bring him back to the Nou Camp, it's no surprise even the Barcelona board and coaching staff think he's good enough to play for the Catalan giants.