MADRID, May 21: Two Spanish giants bid farewell to their boyhood clubs on Sunday as Andres Iniesta waved goodbye to Barcelona and Fernando Torres went out with a bang at Aletico Madrid.
Torres scored twice on his final appearance for Atletico, even if a Lucas Hernandez red card helped Eibar claim a 2-2 draw on the last day of the La Liga season.
Iniesta�s 22-year association with Barcelona, meanwhile, ended with a victory as the player marked out as the Spaniard�s successor, Philippe Coutinho, proved the difference in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.
With a tear in his eye, Iniesta walked off to a standing ovation from the Camp Nou in the second half, having unfastened his captain�s armband and handed it to Lionel Messi.
He hugged the Argentinian and then embraced the rest of his colleagues. The 34-year-old clapped the crowd, blew them a kiss, before exhaling and ducking into the dug-out.
An extravagant post-match ceremony followed, celebrating both Iniesta and the winning of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Barca�s players returned to the pitch all wearing shirts with Iniesta�s name on their backs.
�It is a difficult day,� Iniesta said in a speech to the crowd. �But it has been a wonderful 22 years. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to defend and represent this club, for me the best in the world. I will keep you in my heart forever.� Barca�s players then huddled beneath Iniesta and tossed him into the air.
�I feel privileged,� coach Ernesto Valverde said. �Just as they all do to have been a part of it. He is a unique, unrepeatable player. There is none like him.� After 22 years at the club and 16 in the first team, Iniesta�s 674 appearances for Barcelona is bettered only by Xavi Hernandez, who was also on the pitch before kick-off to join in the tributes. � AFP