FC Barcelona News: 21 May 2018

Andrés Iniesta, the focus of attention in the Camp Nou celebrations | FC Barcelona
At the final whistle the 84,168 fans at Camp Nou remained rooted to their seats in anticipation of the party on the field to celebrate the league and cup double and to say goodbye to Andrés Iniesta. An indication of what was to come came when the lights went out in the stadium and DJ Carles Pérez cranked up the music for the return of the players out on to the field.

MATCH REPORT: FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad: Win for Infinite Iniesta (1-0) | FC Barcelona
Before kick-off, a fabulous mosaic saying ‘Infinit Iniesta’ greeted Andrés as the teams came onto the pitch. The captain and Xabi Prieto, from Real Sociedad, then shared a touching moment as the two one-club players said goodbye to their respective teams on the same night.

Xavi’s open letter to Andres Iniesta - ‘the most talented player in the history of Spain’ | ESPN
To watch him play was spectacular. What you imagined outside of the pitch, he did on it. It seemed at times as though he could hear your thoughts. Later he did it with such ease that it gave the impression he didn’t even need to think. Andres always connected well with other players, played with the head held high and did not lose balls.

Andres Iniesta bids Barcelona farewell after ‘difficult day’ at the Camp Nou | ESPN
Andres Iniesta remained at the Camp Nou until the early hours of Monday morning, sat alone on the pitch after bidding an emotional farewell to Barcelona following 22 years at the club. La Liga champions Barca claimed a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday, providing a fitting finale for the 34-year-old, who lifted the trophy for a ninth time after the game.

Iniesta’s 32 trophies at Barça | FC Barcelona
Andrés Iniesta got the send-off he deserved on Sunday evening in the final match of the season, and his last ever game in the famous blaugrana shirt – the only one of he has ever worn in one of the most glittering careers in football history. Indeed, his amazing tally of 32 major trophies is a club record that he shares with Leo Messi.

Andres Iniesta’s last game for Barcelona: His final day in pictures | ESPN
Sunday at the Camp Nou was a special and emotional day. Andres Iniesta played his 670th and final game for Barcelona as the league champions closed out the 2017-18 Spanish Primera Division season against Real Sociedad.

The final match of the season at the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
Iniesta says farewell to FC Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. The blaugranas beat a combative Basque side with a fantastic Coutinho shot. The Brazilian midfielder scored his tenth goal for the Club. The result means Ernesto Valverde’s side ended with 28 wins, 9 draws and one defeat.

Ernesto Valverde: ‘The fans made Iniesta’s farewell even more special’ | FC Barcelona
Ernesto Valverde has praised Andrés Iniesta in his final press conference of the season. The manager believed the farewell was “very emotional and the fans made Andrés’ goodbye special.” The coach mentioned how Iniesta “left very grateful for the appreciation received.”

Rakitic lost for words as Iniesta heads for Barcelona exit | Goal
Ivan Rakitic admitted it was difficult to find the words to describe Andres Iniesta’s final match for Barcelona on Sunday. The 34-year-old played 80 minutes of the 1-0 La Liga win over Real Sociedad before being substituted to a standing ovation from a packed Camp Nou crowd.

Messi wins fifth Golden Shoe | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi continues to set new records. The Argentine has ended the season with 34 goals in LaLiga, making him not only pichichi but also top scorer in Europe and winner of the Golden Shoe award for a record breaking fifth time. With his 34 strikes, Messi finishes two ahead of second placed Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in the rankings. The Barça number 10 wins the award for the second successive season and becomes the first player to win it no less than five times.

Dembélé suffers sprained ankle | FC Barcelona
The 21 year old French winger played 54 minutes of the game against Real Sociedad before being replaced due to the injury picked up in the first half following a challenge from Real Sociedad defender Raúl Navas in the first half of Sunday’s game at Camp Nou.

Spain World Cup squad announced | Football Espana
Six Real Madrid players have been included in the squad, including defensive trio Sergio Ramos, Nacho Fernandez and Dani Carvajal alongside attacking trio Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Marco Asensio. Barcelona have four representatives in the squad while Atletico Madrid have three, with strikers Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia) and Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) also included.