Standing ovation for Iniesta at the Camp Nou

Iniesta receives the trophy from his wife and daughter

Just before the match against Valencia, the fans at the Camp Nou focused their attention of Andrés Iniesta. The Azulgrana made his way out onto the pitch by himself to offer up the UEFA Best Player Award trophy he won in Monaco to the fans and Club members in the stands. Iniesta received the UEFA Best Player trophy from his wife and daughter, who donned a Barça strip with word ‘Papi’ and the number 8 on her back.

Memorable tribute

It’s safe to say that his tribute won’t be soon forgotten by the Azulgrana midfielder. Iniesta edged both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the UEFA Best Player Award with a vote total of 19 to the latter two’s 17. Iniesta is the second FC Barcelona player to win the award. Last season, Messi claimed the accolade with a total of 39 votes.

This evening’s tribute wasn’t the only acknowledgment the player received this weekend. During the training session on Saturday, after the day off on Friday, the entire team congregated in the middle of the pitch to congratulate Iniesta for winning the award.