Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta knows how privileged he is to be earning a big salary from doing what he likes.

Iniesta who has fully recovered from an injury that kept him out for the past couple of weeks is taking nothing for granted despite his superstar status in football.

He said: "As a professional footballer earning this salary and being admired is a privilege. The least we can do as footballers is have respect for the sport. Getting to the top is one thing, staying there is another,"

The stylish playmaker was also confident that he will be a starter for Spain in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup next year.

"I won my place in that team. Nobody gave it to me. I am 100 per cent confident in my ability and have no doubt that I will be a starter," he said.