Barcelona had a Ronaldo-esque departure to cope with this summer too, says Ernesto Valverde

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde sympathises with arch-rivals Real Madrid over losing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer but adds they have also lost a player of equal stature.

Valverde – heading into a second campaign as Barça manager – was referring to Andres Iniesta, who recently ended a 22-year association with his boyhood club, by joining Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.

Iniesta, unlike Ronaldo who signed a four-year contract with Italian powerhouse Juventus, is unlikely to face his former team next season and Valverde feels it’s too early to say whether Real will be weakened.

“We do not know to what extent this will weaken Madrid, but he is a player who has given a lot to the club and you have to recognise everything he has done,” he told reporters, via Goal.

“The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid is as important as the one we have with Andres. Julen [Lopetegui, Madrid coach] will try to notice Cristiano’s absence as little as possible.”

Don Andres

A graduate of Barcelona’s esteemed academy, Iniesta made his debut under former coach Louis van Gaal in late 2002 and left as the club’s second-most capped player (674 appearances) behind former midfield partner Xavi (767).

The 34-year-old’s career has coincided with the Catalan giants’ most successful period.

The native of Fuentealbilla, who captained the side before departing, lifted nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey crowns and four European Cups.

He’s also collected two European Championships with Spain and famously won La Roja their first World Cup in 2010.

The post Barcelona had a Ronaldo-esque departure to cope with this summer too, says Ernesto Valverde appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2v01MY8