Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets given emotional farewells from Barcelona
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Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets said an emotional farewell to the Nou Camp in their final home games as Barcelona players and were given a guard of honour by their teammates.
After 39 years at the club between them Alba and Busquets are set to leave Barcelona when their contracts come to an end at the conclusion of the season.
The pair could be reunited in Saudi Arabia as one club hopes to convince Lionel Messi to join by signing a couple of his good friends.
But whilst the season draws to a close they got to play out their final game as Barca stars at home on Sunday night, against Real Mallorca.
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The team had already secured their 27th La Liga title a couple of weeks ago when they defeated local rivals Espanyol away from home.
After then being attacked by away fans following their decision to celebrate on the pitch, the team had their parade through the city.
It meant that the final games of the campaign could be used to celebrate the departing legends, with both Alba and Busquets starting against Mallorca.
With Ansu Fati and Gavi scoring to put the hosts 3-0 up manager Xavi first gave Alba his moment to shine, replacing him in the 81st minute and leaving the left back in tears.
An emotional moment for a legend of the Spotify Camp Nou 😢
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) May 28, 2023
Jordi Alba leaves the stadium for the final time as a Barcelona player as he's subbed off with ten minutes to go 🔁
Watch live and free on the Viaplay Sports UK YouTube channel
👉 https://t.co/ciX8C2REfJ pic.twitter.com/ijtH7simzI
The 34-year-old started as a youngster at La Masia but moved to Valencia's academy, before returning to the Catalan giants 11 years ago.
His €14 million move has certainly become a bargain after making over 450 appearances for the club in all competitions in over a decade there.
He has won six La Liga titles, five Copa del Reys and a Champions League during his time at the club, and his final appearance at home was obviously too much to handle.
Busquets was removed from the action four minutes later, with his former midfield partner turned boss replacing him with Eric Garcia.
It may have been a more emotional farewell for the fans this time but Busquets kept his composure and handed over the captain's armband.
And now it's Sergio Busquets' turn to bid farewell to the Barcelona fans 👋
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) May 28, 2023
For the last time in his illustrious career, he leaves the pitch at Spotify Camp Nou as players from both sides embrace him and the crowd rise to their feet 🙌
Simply a legend 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/qVH1fqDOGn
The midfielder has been at the club throughout his entire professional career, since joining the club's famed youth academy back in 2005.
He has become one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, if not THE best, and appeared alongside Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
He won 32 major trophies with the club including nine league titles and three Champions Leagues, as well as being a World Cup winner for Spain.
After the final whistle fans stayed to watch the rest of the pair's farewell as they paraded trophies around and were given a guard of honor by their teammates.
Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were given a guard of honour in a special post-match ceremony at Spotify Camp Nou! 🙌
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) May 28, 2023
Every Barcelona fan remained in their seat to pay tribute to two club legends, and to say goodbye to their iconic stadium 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/DLgPgoTMwY
The two players could yet take part in one last official game for the club next weekend, as Barca take on relegation threatened Celta Vigo.
Busquets could also still be reunited with Xavi and Iniesta in midfield for the club, when they take on Vissel Kobe in a post-season friendly.
Iniesta is set to leave the Japanese club in the summer and wants to play in the famous trio for one last time in the match next month.
Featured Image Credit: Barcelona
Topics: Football, Barcelona, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, La Liga, Spain
