That’s not the dig you think it is tbh
Xavi and Iniesta are literally two of the best midfielders we’ve ever seen. Cesc still has a WC winning assist as well as key goals and assists playing out of position for most of it. He was a top player for those teams.
That was not a dig at Cesc, he was a great midfielder with great vision and passing ability.
What I'm saying is that despite of that he was never a key part for Spain for the cited reasons. Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets and Pique-Ramos-Puyol-Alba were the key parts.
With Del Bosque as a manager and his defensive tiki taka after the WC 2010 and Torres/Villa dropping form/injuries, he didnt matter who was up front (Fabregas was in 2012 but so was Torres and Negredo), their midfield was too godly and they were always in control and putting their opposition to sleep.