Barcelona's long-serving midfielder Xavi Hernandez has made his last appearance for the club.
The 35-year-old was handed the captain's armband as he came on as a 78th minute substitute for Andres Iniesta during Barca's 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus, and received a standing ovation from supporters. It was a fitting tribute for one of the most decorated players in the European game.
Barca's triumph in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday, which sealed a historic second treble for the Catalan side, is the 25th trophy of Xavi's glittering professional career.
And his performance on the night was typically astute, appropriately economic and expansive in possession and intelligently positioned when he wasn't.
Barca took the lead after just four minutes when Ivan Rakitic swept home from eight yards before Alvaro Morata stabbed in a rebound after the interval to draw Juve level. That lead was soon canceled out though, with Luis Suarez netting following Gianluigi Buffon's spillage of Lionel Messi's shot.
Enter Xavi 10 minutes later to help control pace of the game and Neymar was able to score Barca's third goal on the break in the closing stages.
'Not even in the best possible dream could I be so happy,' he gleefully said afterwards. 'There are no words, I can't ask for any more, to leave this way is perfect.
'There is already a feeling of nostalgia. Knowing that you won't play for this team again is tough.'
The 35-year-old was handed the captain's armband as he came on as a 78th minute substitute for Andres Iniesta during Barca's 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus, and received a standing ovation from supporters. It was a fitting tribute for one of the most decorated players in the European game.
Barca's triumph in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday, which sealed a historic second treble for the Catalan side, is the 25th trophy of Xavi's glittering professional career.
And his performance on the night was typically astute, appropriately economic and expansive in possession and intelligently positioned when he wasn't.
Barca took the lead after just four minutes when Ivan Rakitic swept home from eight yards before Alvaro Morata stabbed in a rebound after the interval to draw Juve level. That lead was soon canceled out though, with Luis Suarez netting following Gianluigi Buffon's spillage of Lionel Messi's shot.
Enter Xavi 10 minutes later to help control pace of the game and Neymar was able to score Barca's third goal on the break in the closing stages.
'Not even in the best possible dream could I be so happy,' he gleefully said afterwards. 'There are no words, I can't ask for any more, to leave this way is perfect.
'There is already a feeling of nostalgia. Knowing that you won't play for this team again is tough.'
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