Being team-mates for more than two decades in Barcelona's youth and first teams prompts strong feeling between footballers, and Andrés Iniesta made that perfectly clear to Lionel Messi during Sunday's clash.
One of the most touching moments of the intense match between Barcelona and Real Madrid took place when Iniesta prepared to leave the pitch. When he came close to Messi in order to give him the captain's armband, the Spaniard and the Argentine superstar shared an embrace, as Iniesta whispered something to Messi before heading to the touchline.
According to footage from ESPN, Iniesta told Messi: "Here you go Leo, I love you," and walked off the pitch as fans got up from their seats to give him a standing ovation.
Iniesta will end his career at Barcelona after 20 years. He joined Los Blaugranas' youth categories at the age of 12, and he is set to continue his playing career in China or Japan.
