Barcelona star Xavi (left) was joined by team-mate Andres Iniesta at his farewell event at the Nou Camp
The two Barcelona stars were joined on the stage by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu (left).
An
emotional Xavi was reduced to tears on stage at his farewell event
ahead of his final appearance for Barcelona after Andres Iniesta paid
tribute to his 'captain, team-mate and friend'.
The
departing-midfielder announced last month he will join Qatari side
Al-Sadd at the end of the season, ending his 24-year run with the
Catalan giants.
Before
Xavi plays in Saturday's Champions League final, Iniesta, who has been
in Barcelona's first team with his compatriot since 2002, paid tribute
to the club legend.
The former Spain international hugged Iniesta as he entered the stage and struggled to hold in his emotions
Xavi struggled to hold in his emotions after Iniesta thanked him for 'putting the group before yourself'
The midfield maestro was reduced to tears after partner in crime Iniesta took to the stage to make a speech
'Captain, team-mate and friend. We can't imagine the first work out of next season without you. It's been a privilege to play alongside you,' he said.
'Thanks, Xavi, for always being an example, for always putting the group before yourself. Thanks for all your advice.
'Thank you Xavi, for all those years, for all the talks, about football and other things. Those who know you know you will be back.'
Xavi is the longest serving and most decorated Barca player, having joined at the age of 11, and he eventually took to the stage to pay tribute to the club.
'I want to thank every member and every fan, I'm very grateful,' he said at the event.
'The trophies are nothing compared to the laughs I had here and the friends I'm leaving behind.
Iniesta, who has been in Barcelona's first team with Xavi since 2002, presented the star with a signed shirt
Xavi in turn thanked the club, saying: 'I want to thank every member and every fan, I'm very grateful'
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu makes a speech as the club celebrate Xavi's career at the club
Xavi waves to the crowd, which included his family and team-mates, as he prepares to play in his final match
Past and present players including Carles Puyol, Dani Alves and Neymar attended the event on Wednesday
Alves, who is also set to leave Barcelona in the summer, shakes hands with Xavi's parents
Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff (middle) also attended the event which was held at the Nou Camp
'It's me who should be grateful - I could never have imagined all the things that have happened to me here.
'Thanks to Luis Enrique and Zubi (Andoni Zubizarreta), who convinced me not to leave last summer. I'd have killed myself now if I had left.'
A World Cup winner with Spain, Xavi has made over 500 appearances for the Blaugrana, clinching 24 trophies, including three Champions League and eight Primera Division titles.
Xavi reflected on his career as both a club and international player, and paid tribute to late managers Tito Vilanova, who managed him at Barca, and former Spain boss Luis Aragones.
Barcelona star Xavi has paid tribute to Luis Enrique after revealing the boss persuaded him to stay at the club
Xavi is preparing to make his final appearance for the club, which will come in the Champions League final
The former Spain international helped Barcelona secure the Copa del Rey trophy last Saturday
'Tito has been my football father and I will always carry him in my heart,' he said.
'Coach (Luis Aragones), wherever you are, know I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you did for me.'
Xavi, who has helped Barca secure the La Liga and Copa del Rey this season, also revealed he hopes to return to the club in the future.
'I hope this isn't a goodbye, but a see-you-soon. Thanks for everything, Barca.'
Past and present team-mates attended the event at the Nou Camp and players including Andres Iniesta gave speeches.
There were, however, five notable absences in Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha.
Messi posted an Instagram snap of the group which revealed they were caught up in anti-doping control.
Xavi paid tribute to late managers Luis Aragones (left) , who managed him at Spain and Tito Vilanova
Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha did not make Xavi's event
Despite his team-mates absence, there were plenty of familiar faces who attended the emotional event including Xavi's former captain Carles Puyol.
It's not the first time Xavi has been reduced to tears this season after Barcelona fans paid tribute to their legendary playmaker in his final La Liga game for the club.
As he closed the curtain on what has been a hugely successful era at Barcelona, the captain couldn't help but shed a tear, as he left the pitch.
Depending on Saturday's result in Berlin, the midfield maestro might have to wipe away tears one more time.
But as both Xavi and Iniesta hinted, he'll be back.
Xavi celebrates after scoring against Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon in a Champions League quarter-final in 2003
sorce: Daily Mail