Messi leads Barca celebrations

Lionel Messi led Barcelona’s end-of-season celebrations on Sunday, declaring the treble signalled the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history.

Barca treated their fans to a bus parade through the streets of the Catalan capital after they completed a second clean sweep of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League a day earlier, before taking the after-party to Camp Nou.

“We’ll continue [our success] because this squad is eager to keep winning things,” the Argentine remarked.

“We’ve arrived here on the back of a difficult year, which demanded a lot from us.

“Being back here is spectacular. We all have to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta also had their say on Barca’s historic season, with the Al Sadd-bound midfielder adding: “[These celebrations] are amazing. I’ll miss everyone.”

He then passed the microphone to his replacement captain, who said: “I’m very proud to be part of this team.

“You [the fans] have supported us through the highs and lows. This team have made ​​history and we want to continue. We won’t stop.”

Messi’s strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez, both of whom scored in Barca’s 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus on Saturday, were up next.

The Brazilian further adorned himself to the club’s supporters by uttering in Catalan: “I am very happy. Thank you!”

Suarez quipped: “I thank my spectacular teammates for giving me opportunity to realise my dream.

“I must also thank the staff, club doctors and, above all, the fans for supporting me all year.

Last but not least, Pedro Rodriguez – fourth choice for most of the season – expressed his pride at playing alongside “great players for the best club in history”.

“It was very difficult to achieve but the team did it again. Visca Barca!”

The attackers aside, Barca’s defenders too enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, starting with Javier Mascherano, who captured his side’s emotions perfectly: “We couldn’t ask for more.”

Shortly after, Jordi Alba recalled that the day of his transfer presentation in 2012 “was the most beautiful of my career”.

Finally, Berlin hero Ivan Rakitic joined fellow former Bundesliga performer Marc-Andre ter Stegen in wrapping things up, with the Croat stating: “I’ve had two great years. Here, I feel at home.

“I’m very happy at Barca. Winning the treble is the absolute pinnacle,” concluded the goalkeeper.

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