Andres Iniesta has defended Barcelona's youth system after the club's transfer ban over their method of signing young players from abroad was upheld.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the club's appeal against their two-year suspension on Tuesday, initially handed down by Fifa following a breach of regulations concerning deals for youth players coming into Spain.
The decision means Barca will be unable to make any transfers until 2016 - something which Iniesta concedes is a problem - but, as a graduate of La Masia, he is adamant the club is a great place for youngsters to join.
"As a former member, I think the opportunity it [La Masia] gives to young players, not only on a footballing level but a personal one too, is very good," he told Marca.
"Not being able to sign anyone is a handicap. But I think the important thing is to focus on this year, to win and give the fans something to celebrate.
" Iniesta also insists that the transfer ban will not hold Barca back as they aim to banish the memory of a trophyless 2014 in the coming year.
"It's not easy to assess objectively when you haven't reached your objectives. But things don't always go well," he said of the past 12 months.
"You want to recover the good feeling quickly. Another year without titles isn't going through our heads.
" Iniesta's Spain team-mate Fernando Torres has returned to boyhood club Atletico Madrid on loan and the Barca attacker believes he has made the right choice to revive his faltering career.
"Atleti are the current champions and the rest have to try to take it from them. They've shown how good they've been in recent years has been no accident and they'll be fighting until the end, as we will," he added.
"I think it's good news for him to return to the club where he started and that they want him so much. I'm happy for him because he's my friend."
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