Espanyol fans hail Iniesta
ByReuters
Updated 19/12/2010 at 13:26 GMT
Espanyol fans put aside allegiances in the city derby to give Barcelona's Andres Iniesta an ovation for the tribute he made to their former captain Dani Jarque at the World Cup finals.
Spain's Andres Iniesta celebrates his goal during the 2010 World Cup final soccer match against Netherlands at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg July 11, 2010
Image credit: Reuters
The midfielder won the respect of Espanyol supporters when he scored Spain's winning goal against the Netherlands in the final in South Africa back in July.
The 26-year-old ripped off his shirt in the celebrations to reveal a vest with a dedication to Jarque, who had died of heart failure aged 26 last year. The two had been good friends.
Espanyol fans gave him a standing ovation when the team sheets were read out before kick-off, and again when he was substituted near the end of the match.
"I felt it on the pitch, this is biggest thing, people have sent me messages... people are more important than rivalries," Iniesta, a shortlisted candidate for this year Balon d'Or award, said.
His coach Pep Guardiola said: "Andres deserves it and I would like to congratulate the stands at Cornella-El Prat for the way they treated him."
La Liga leaders Barca won the game 5-1, the support for Iniesta standing out in stark contrast to the usual hostile reception reserved for the rest of Barca's team.
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