European football lost one of its greatest ever players on Friday afternoon.

After 16 trophy-filled seasons, Andres Iniesta has called time on his Barcelona career, with the Spaniard seemingly on his way to China.

Iniesta can still turn on the style, just like he did against Sevilla in Barca's 5-0 Copa del Rey win, but his reason for leaving is because he cannot produce that kind of performance on a regular basis anymore.

He wants to bow out on top and a domestic double - with the Blaugrana on the brink of an unbeaten season - is the perfect way to do so.

Nevertheless, that did not stop the tears at his farewell conference, with most of Barca's first-team squad there.

The only two high-profile absentees were Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, although they will both attend a private get together with Iniesta later. Apparently, a scheduling issue was behind their absence.

And the departing midfielder was asked by reporters what his 14-year playing career with Messi has been like. Had the Argentine been there, the tears would have been flowing.

INIESTA'S TRIBUTE TO MESSI

"For me it has been and always will be an honour and a privilege to have shared a team with him," Iniesta said.

"To be able to share time with him every day and share so many magic moments, because in my opinión there is no-one like him and there never will be."

"I’ve always said that Leo is a fundamental part of this team and its bid to win trophies and so for me as a teammate and a player, to have him by my side has been unique and magic."

The perfect way to pay homage to his greatest ever teammate.

Messi and Gerard Pique are the last big names left from Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side from 2011, with a new era being ushered in at Barca.

Just imagine the commotion when Messi decides to call it a day at the Nou Camp...