Barcelona Players Couldn't Stop Applauding Andres Iniesta's Individual Highlights

Andres iniesta, one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace the game, will play his final game for Barcelona this evening in what should be an emotional encounter against Real Sociedad.

The fact that Iniesta will not play for his beloved Barca next season is not worth thinking about, but I'm sure tonight's fixture will really hit home how much he will be missed by those who appreciate the beautiful game.

Not to mention those who have had the pleasure of playing alongside him for such a long period.

Image: PA

From the likes of Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique to those who have recently joined the club, a large part of the first team squad sat down and watched highlights of Iniesta's time at the Catalan giants.

Barcelona's official Twitter account organised the following clip you're about to watch.

Just look at how much respect these people have for the 34-year-old, who has spent 17 years at the club.

Lionel Messi's reaction to the footage just highlights how much of an impact Iniesta has had on this team down the years.

The almost telepathic connection between the pair has been irresistible to watch in years gone by.

Something we might see during Andres Iniesta's final game for Barcelona tonight against Real Sociedad is a very symbolic substitution and again, it involves the five-time Balon d'Or winner.

It was previously thought that Lionel Messi would be rested for the fixture after manager Ernesto Valverde planned to leave him out, but Spanish publication AS reckon that the five-time Balon d'Or winner has been included in the squad.

Image: PA

It's being reported that the Argentinian will replace Iniesta during his last game at the Camp Nou, and the Spaniard will hand over the captaincy to his friend and teammate.

What a moment it could turn out to be.

Whether the above will happen has yet to be confirmed, but Valverde said the following earlier in the week:

"He has played a lot of minutes and picked up the odd injury and played games while being injured.

"In the final stretch of the season we feel it's the right time to rest him. The other day he played 15 minutes in South Africa for contractual reasons but tomorrow the plan is for him to rest."

Get the tissues ready folks, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, La Liga

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_