Andrés Iniesta, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernández and Cesc Fàbregas commemorated Dani Jarque on Monday as they participated in a tribute match to the late footballer. The match, which was held at Cornellà-El Prat, saw a team made up of Jarque’s ex-team-mates and Espanyol players face off against a team made of players from La Liga and foreign leagues. Andrés Iniesta led the Liga team, and the match ended in a 4-4 draw.
On 21 minutes – 21 was Jarque’s number when he played for Espanyol – the match was stopped and Jarque’s family came out onto the pitch to receive the crowd and Espanyol’s condolences.
Ovation for Iniesta
The Espanyol fans chanted Andrés Iniesta’s name throughout the match as a show of gratitude for the gesture the FC Barcelona made to his esteemed friend in the final of the South Africa World Cup. The Barça midfielder, after scoring the tournament-winning goal, ripped off his shirt to show the message hidden beneath, ‘Jarque, always with us.’
