Outgoing Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta is to be awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit – the highest honour in Spanish sport.
Iniesta, who celebrates his 34th birthday this month, has reportedly agreed a move to the Chinese Super League in summer and has confirmed he will bring his 22-year association with the Blaugrana to an end.
The award, which ESPN FC report Iniesta will receive, is in honour of ‘distinguished service in sports’ with Iniesta’s former teammate Xavi Hernandez among its previous recipients.
The midfield maestro has helped the Catalan giants to the domestic double this season and he has four matches remaining, starting with El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday.
El Mundo Deportivo report he will be given a ‘pasillo’ (guard of honour) by both teams, as Barca aim to finish the league campaign unbeaten.
