Iniesta was taken into the Barça youth ranks at the age of 12, and is one of a number of 'cantera' products that are currently in the first-team squad, including the likes of Xavi, Victor Valdes and Bojan Krkic.
Despite the impression that Barcelona are more open to giving their young talents opportunities in the first team than other La Liga clubs, Iniesta still believes it is very hard for a youth player to make the step-up into the senior squad.
"For any player in the cantera it is very difficult to reach the first team. When you arrive in the senior squad people think that it was easy to get there. I suppose that it is the same with any worker, it is always hard to move up. In football, it is extremely difficult," he told the Diario de León.
"Hard work is what allows you to reach the senior squad. A player can be technically very good, but the effort is the thing that gives you that little bit extra that you need to make the step up and play at your best."
Asked whether home-grown players are likely to show more effort and determination on the pitch, Iniesta conceded that this is sometimes the case, although he would hope that every player feels the same loyalty to the club and their team-mates.
"I would like to think that isn't the case, because I believe that any player shows commitment when they pull on the shirt. What is certain is that we have had the opportunity to be here for many years and perhaps we know more about the surroundings and what it means for the club. In that sense yes," he affirmed.
Finally, Iniesta was asked to name a couple of players that had influenced his style of play, and coincidentally - or not as it may be - chose two former-players who have been linked with the coaching position at the Camp Nou next season: Josep Guardiola and Michael Laudrup.
"I have always liked both of them. I have paid attention to them and I have always tried to imitate their style of play and the way that they see the game," he concluded.
