Fixed, 28.5 (Sport 1)
Barcelona bid farewell to their home stadium on Sunday after a 0-3 win over Mallorca following a move to the city's Olympic Stadium next season until the Camp Nou renovation is complete. Apart from saying goodbye to the home crowd at the immortal stadium, Barcelona fans and all members of the club paid an emotional farewell to the two legends of the club - Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The two started in the line-up of the Spanish champions and were exchanged to cheers from the crowd and hugs from the players and professional staff as they descended to the bench. The Catalan captain, who grew up at the club, played his 721st game for the Blaugrana, scoring 18 goals, 45 assists, 9 Spanish championships, 7 UEFA Champions League trophies, a UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, 7 Spanish Cups and 2012 Spanish Supercups. Alba, who moved from Valencia in the summer of 14 for just €27 million, 99 goals and 458 assists in 6 appearances, won 5 league titles, 4 Spanish Cups, <> Spanish Supercups, Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
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An emotional farewell. Busquets and Alba (Photo: Reuters)
Busquets thanked the crowd at the end and spoke excitedly about his time with the team for so many years: "I want to thank all the players and those who have accompanied me on this path - the coaches, the staff and the audience. It was a huge privilege to play for this club. Thank you to my family who have always been by my side. Ever since I was little I dreamed of playing in this stadium. I wanted to feel the pride of playing for the best club in the world. I am a club member and fan. Now, I'm leaving, but my childhood dream came true and it was far beyond what I imagined I could fulfill. It's not a goodbye, I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."
The left-back joined in thanking his former coach who died of cancer: "Thank you everyone, it was a privilege and a pride to wear the Barcelona shirt. Professionally, today was the happiest day of my life. I will always remember the special man who made me sign here - Tito Villanova. Thank you to my locker room mates. This year I played less, but I'm proud to be part of Barcelona. I learned a lot from Busquets. Thank you all."
They were given a farewell ceremony of kings. Alba and Busquets are hoisted by Barcelona players (Photo: Reuters)
Jordi Cruyff, Barcelona's technical director who will also part ways with the club in the summer, said of the two: "A big, dignified and beautiful farewell to Alba and Busquets. They both brought a lot to this club. My best memory of my debut at Camp Nou as a young player was scoring a goal, say Racing Santander."
Andre-Marc ter Stegen joined the players' wishes: "It's a sad day, the Camp Nou will never see two legendary players again. We had great moments together with Busquets and Alba. It hurts to say goodbye, but I want to wish them the best. It was an honor to play alongside them."
Sergi Roberto, who will become the team's new captain next season, said of saying goodbye to the club's legends: "We prepared for their last game and the farewell they deserved in this stadium. Busquets, from the first moment I arrived at the first team, helped me. Jordi, also arrived along with Tito. They are the best the club has ever had in their positions. Alba's passion and Busquets' dedication are something very special. I will be the next captain and it is symbolic and very special for me. I was proud to be one of the 4 captains, and now that I'll be the first it's a big responsibility."
The captain parted. Busquets (Photo: Reuters)
Throughout the farewell ceremony for Barcelona, Busquets and Alba in the last game at Camp Nou for the near future, the Catalan crowd did not have time to call out the name of Lionel Messi, who has been linked with a return to the club this summer.
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- Barcelona in football
- Sergio Busquets
- Jordi Alba
