Andres Iniesta has paid tribute to Xavi Hernandez at a ceremony to say farewell to the Barcelona icon.
Xavi will this summer leave Camp Nou for Al-Sadd with his final game in Barca colours to come on Saturday, against Juventus in the Champions League final.
Barca have held an event to mark the midfielder’s contribution to the club and long-time teammate Iniesta was among those who spoke.
“It’s difficult to remain at the most demanding club in the world, as we always remember,” Iniesta said, AS reports, with an emotional Xavi attempting to hold back the tears.
“I can’t imagine the first day of training and you’re not there with us, to advise us, providing the historical memory, making things clear to the youngsters.
“You’ve always thought more about the team than yourself. I thank you. You have made us all better, because you have lived through everything.
“We all know that you’ll return, because you have a Blaugrana heart and soul. I’m grateful to you, from teacher to pupil. You are a great, Xavi, thank you my friend.”
Former Barca Coach Louis Van Gaal sent in a message on video, while Xavi himself paid tribute to Van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and a number of Barca figures, including Luis Enrique and Andoni Zubizarreta, as well as his family.
Xavi also singled out the late Luis Aragones, the former Coach of Spain under whom Xavi won the 2008 European Championships.
The event was delayed as Xavi was one of the Barca players required to attend doping control ahead of the Champions League final, and the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez were unable to attend for the same reason.
