Messi not present from Iniesta farewell announcement was explained
The midfielder stated his imminent departure from the Spanish side, but the absence of the attacking (messi) raised a few eyebrows
As Andres Iniesta made the "difficult" announcement that his Barcelona career will soon come to an end, the iconic midfielder was able to rely on the support of his team-mates who were present as he confirmed his decision. However, there were two glaring absentees from the group of players who turned up for the emotional moment: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Iniesta has been a hero in the Barca first team for the entirety of Messi's senior career and has achieved world domination with the club talisman, so his non-appearance at Friday's press conference raised a few eyebrows.
Although Suarez's absence from iniesta farewell announcement has not been explained, Messi's entourage were quick to insist that the Argentine was missing because of a "personal affair" and Barcelona stated that there was a clash of schedules. However, the captain will be there to pay homage to Iniesta at a private event the club have arranged.
Iniesta will then be given a final public farewell after Barca's last game of the season against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.
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"It's an unforgettable day for me, to be here saying goodbye when I've spent my whole life here at Barcelona," he said on Friday.
"A great deal of who I am, is down to Barca and La Masia - I am very greatful to them."
The Spain international will end his career with a domestic double as the Catalan side close in on another league title. After winning the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 victory over Sevilla last week, a point against Deportivo on Sunday would see them crowned La Liga champions for the ninth time in Iniesta's career.
The 33-year-old was denied a fifth Champions League crown when Barca were eliminated by Roma in the quarter-finals.
It is not yet known where Iniesta will end up after departing Camp Nou. Although he has been closely linked to a move to China, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Manchester City have all been mentioned lately.
'This is my last season and this is my end here' - Iniesta confirms Barcelona exit
The 33-year-old has revealed that he will leave Camp Nou this summer, having won 31 major trophies during his playing career with the Blaugrana
Andres Iniesta has confirmed he is leaving Barcelona after 16 seasons at the club.
The 33-year-old held a special press conference to announce his exit from Camp Nou, having won 31 major trophies during his time at the club.
Iniesta joined Barcelona as a 12-year-old in 1996, working his way through La Masia before breaking into the first team in 2002-03.
By his third season with the senior side, he was an integral part of the Barcelona midfield, helping lift his first La Liga title in 2004-05, and then completed the league and Champions League double the following season.
Iniesta is on track to win his ninth La Liga title this year as Barcelona currently hold an 11 point lead over Atletico Madrid and are 15 ahead of Real Madrid with just five games remaining.
The midfielder confirmed that the 2017-18 season would be his last, announcing: "This is my last season here. I have thought my decision through for a long time.
"For me, Barca is the best club in the world - this club has given me everything.
"A great deal of who I am, is down to Barca and La Masia - I am very thankful to them."
He lifted a sixth Copa del Rey title in April, receiving a standing ovation as he was substituted in what proved to be an emotional farewell ahead of the official confirmation of his exit.
Since then, he has received praise from former team-mates, opponents and football dignitaries, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu hailing him as Barcelona's most important player of the last decade.
"From 2004 until now, he has been the most important player we have had because he has been in every coach's project since [Frank] Rijkaard," Bartomeu told El Larguero.
Iniesta has been linked with a move to China, but reports in England have also speculated that his next move could be to Arsenal or Manchester City, with PSG also a possible destination.
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