Messi, Iniesta, Puyol, Suarez pour in tributes for Alba at Barcelona farewell ceremony

Barcelona have been dealing with high emotions the past month or so. It started with losing out on the Copa del Rey title after a 0-4 loss against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

Then they won La Liga with a few games to spare, which naturally erupted celebrations in the Catalan capital.

This followed two losses on the bounce, which took some air out of the joy, but they made sure to cement a strong 3-0 win against Mallorca in what was their last game at the Camp Nou in more than a year.

It was also Sergio Busquets’ and Jordi Alba’s last home game for Barcelona, as the two legends are set to depart at the end of the season after a trophy-laden decade-plus each in Barcelona.

After Busquets’ emotional tribute yesterday, Barcelona also hosted Alba’s today, where several legends took the mic and screen to share words about the legendary left-back.

Lionel Messi also sent in some words via video message for the legend, saying, “Hello handsome. Sorry, I can’t be with you on this special day. Enjoy this last day. Enjoy your farewell. I love you very much, I wish you all the best.”

Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol mentioned Alba’s name among the best full-backs in the world, with the former saying, “Brother, enjoy your day. Thank you for your whole career at Barcelona. You are number 1 in the left-back position. Thank you for everything. It was an honour to play with you.”

“You are one of the best full-backs in the world. We didn’t play together for long, but playing against you was difficult. I wish you all the best,” Puyol said.

Gerard Pique was not present at the Camp Nou for Alba’s final game of the season, but attended Busi’s ceremony yesterday, and the one today as well. On the Spanish defender, he said emotionally, “Jordi Alba is very special. So many years at Barça. We have similar careers. We have a great relationship, good times and bad times.”

Should he not play the last game of the season against Real Sociedad, Alba will leave Barcelona with 99 assists to his name. One player that can relate to him most would be Pedro, who left Barça in 2015 after scoring 99 goals.

“Jordi, I send you a hug. Thank you for everything you gave Barça. For me you are the best left-back. I was lucky to play with you. I wish you all the best,” Pedro said.

Luis Enrique joined in the tributes, too. While there were reports claiming that the two never particularly got along – while at Barcelona, and then with the Spanish national team, they did win a treble together.

“Congratulations on your unique career. You won many trophies and always at a high level. I like very much your behaviour in the last seasons, it was hard I know, but you were contributing a lot to the youngsters. I wish you all the best,” Lucho addressed Alba.

Legendary Barcelona strikers, David Villa and Luis Suarez did not miss out on tributes, either. “You had a great career at Barcelona. An honour to share great moments with you. Enjoy a lot. You deserve everything,” Villa remarked.

El Pistolero, meanwhile, kept it simple, saying, “Thank you for everything, Jordi. We had great times together. It’s not an easy decision. I wish you all the best.”

Finally, his current coach, Xavi said, “I love you very much, Jordi. I thank you, you know you have my friendship. It’s time to thank you for your career. You have been a playmaker playing at full-back. The best left-back in history!”

Source: BarçaTV+