Tearful Iniesta says ‘emotional’ final may be his last for Barcelona
MADRID: Andres Iniesta hinted he may have played his last final for Barcelona after they crushed Sevilla 5-0 to win the Copa del Rey on Saturday.
Barcelona captain Iniesta said he would reveal his future plans “this week” as the 33-year-old weighs up an offer from China that would take him away from his boyhood club.
There was no sign of age catching up with the Spaniard at the Wanda Metropolitano where Iniesta capped a sublime performance by scoring Barca’s fourth goal. He looked tearful as he departed to a standing ovation in the second half, from some Sevilla fans too, before hoisting the Copa del Rey trophy aloft.
“This week I will make my decision (on my future) public but we will always have days like today,” Iniesta said.
“I will say what the decision is this week. I think it’s a little clear but we will see.”
Asked if this was his last final with Barcelona, Iniesta added: “It’s a possibility. In a few days I’ll make it public and nothing more. Today is a very special and emotional day.”
Lionel Messi scored in between a first-half double for Luis Suarez as Barcelona ran riot to secure their fourth Copa del Rey triumph in as many years. Philippe Coutinho converted a late penalty to make it 5-0.
But Iniesta was the man of the moment, his fourth goal a moment of individual brilliance after a superb shimmy left Sevilla
It’s a possibility. I think it’s a little clear but we will see. In a few days I’ll make it public and nothing more. Today is a very special and emotional day. ANDRES INIESTA, On probably playing his last final for Barca and his future
goalkeeper David Soria helpless to save the finish.
“Today he played a match as such a high level, it seemed that he was 25 years old,” Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella said.
“It would be difficult to find another player to replace him.” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said:
“When I was a player, I would have given my right arm to do what he and Messi do. It’s a stroke of good luck to have him.”
This was the sixth time Iniesta has won the Copa del Rey, adding another trophy to a remarkable collection that already includes eight La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns and a World Cup.
He will win a ninth La Liga title if Barcelona beat Deportivo La Coruna next weekend.
“It was a great night in all ways, on a collective and personal level,” Iniesta said.
“We will try to add the League to leave a good taste in people’s mouths. It is a day of many emotions and I am very happy.” Barca defender Jordi Alba said:
“It has been and is a pleasure to share a changing room with him today, he is number one in his position and as person. The decision that he takes should be respected because he deserves it. But the day Iniesta leaves is the day we will all cry. We will miss him.”
BURNLEY SNATCH DRAW
Stoke missed the chance to give their hopes of Premier League survival a major boost when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley at the bet365 Stadium on Sunday. Badoo Ndiaye gave Stoke the lead in the 11th minute, via a deflection off the boot of Burnley’s Kevin Long -- an advantage they seemed comfortable with for the remainder of the first half. However, Burnley upped the tempo after the break and went level in the 62nd minute thanks to Ashley Barnes, his sixth goal in his last eight league games.
Neither team could find a winner, meaning that with three games to play, Stoke are four points behind Swansea City in 19th, with the South Wales side having played two games less. Burnley stay seventh.