Barcelona's Xavi weeps during farewell tribute

The Spanish international will join Qatari side Al Sadd at the end of the season, with his last game for the club coming in Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus. Lionel Messi, former Barcelona boss Louis van Gaal, Sergio Busquets and Xavi's parents all took part in a farewell video tribute for the midfielder.

But it was Xavi's long-term midfield partner Andres Iniesta who was the first to make the classy playmaker cry with a touching speech. "We can't imagine starting next season and you not being there at training," said Iniesta.

"Thanks, Xavi, for always being an example, for always putting the group before yourself. Thanks for all your advice. Thank you Xavi, for all those years, for all the talks, about football and other things. Those who know you know you will be back"

Xavi has won an incredible 24 trophies during his 17 years at the club, with a chance of adding this year's Champions League to his haul this Saturday. Xavi himself paid tribute to former coaches Van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and a number of Barca figures, including Luis Enrique and Andoni Zubizarreta, as well as his family.

The midfielder also singled out the late Luis Aragones, the former Spain coach who led the side to the 2008 European Championships.

(eurosport.com)