Farewell Ceremony

After the game, Barcelona Club held a farewell ceremony for Guardiola.

The entire stadium of a hundred thousand fans stood up and sang Guardiola's song together.

For them, it was a day of both happiness and sadness.

They were happy because they had the 25-year-old peak of Messi.

They were sad because the club's upheaval in changing the president led to the departure of the legendary coach Guardiola.

This made them feel somewhat pessimistic about the team's future.

It was hard to find someone like Guardiola. He was a product of La Masia's youth training system, familiar with Barça's tactics, and fully utilized Barcelona's characteristics to develop a new tactical system, effectively leveraging his strengths as a coach.

Under Guardiola's coaching, Barcelona had once fielded an entire team of 11 players all from the Barcelona youth training system.

But after Guardiola left, would his successor still be able to revalue the La Masia youth training players? Would they achieve the same brilliant record as Guardiola did?

The more they thought about this, the more reluctant they were to see Guardiola go.

The fans waved Barcelona flags, held up various paintings with Guardiola's pictures, and loudly sang praises for Guardiola.

Guardiola walked alone towards the field, looked at the spectators, and looked at the stadium.

Here, he had led the team to splendid achievements and left behind their own legend.

But after today, he would no longer belong here.

When he next returned, he might likely do so as an opponent.

At that time, would these lovely fans welcome and cheer for him as they did today?

At this point, the big screen on the field began to play wonderful highlights of Guardiola's achievements during his four years of coaching.

The first league championship.

The first UEFA Champions League trophy.

The first sextuple championship.

The big screen displayed Guardiola's celebrations when the team scored, his sideline commands during heavy rain, his joyous cheers when the team won, his victory lap after the first championship, his serious note-taking and tactical analysis for each match, and more.

Finally, the screen froze at the scene where the team won the UEFA Champions League trophy last season, and Guardiola was lifted high by the players.

With excitement, Guardiola took the microphone handed to him by the staff.

He brought the microphone to his lips several times but couldn't speak.

He was afraid that if he spoke, the fans and players would hear his choked-up voice.

This was his home, yet he was about to leave.

It has often been said that near one's home, yet a long way from home, one's feelings can be differentーwhat would his mood be like at such a time?

He took a deep breath, adjusted his state, and said, "Here, I want to thank everyone!"

"Especially the people around me, the players, the coaching staff, and the club staff."

"I'm also grateful for the fans' support. We may not be that close, but every day I feel your support."

"You know I'll miss you. Having your support when I leave Camp Nou makes me feel very excited!"

The fans waved various banners and slogans of support and thanks to Guardiola, sending him their applause and blessings.

"Regarding my departure, I've mentioned it on different occasions many times before, but here I think I need to explain it to you again."

"In my four years of coaching at Barcelona, we achieved good results, but during this time, my work pressure was always very high, and I never had the chance to be with my family properly."

So, here, I apologize to them. I promise that I will spend time well with my family in the coming period!"

Guardiola looked towards the player's tunnel, where his girlfriend Cristina Serra was smiling with their four children.

Lin was also among them!

Yes, the couple who adopted Lin were Guardiola and Serra.

Although he wasn't their biological child, Guardiola and Serra always treated Lin just as they did with their other three children.

Guardiola waved to them, and Serra immediately brought the four children toward him.

"You've worked hard, Pep. We can finally start our vacation!"

As she hugged him, smiling Cristina saw that Guardiola seemed a little low, so she tried to divert his attention with the prospect of a vacation.

"Thank you, Cristina. I'm sorry that I couldn't properly spend time with you and the children all these years!"

Feeling a little guilty, Guardiola apologized sincerely again.

"No need to apologize. If you really feel guilty, why not show it through your actions?"

"Well, that's a good suggestion. I will consider it!"

Guardiola thought about marriage. He felt like it was time to end this long-distance relationship of love.

When it was Lin's turn, Guardiola embraced him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Lin, you're sixteen now. Have you thought about your future career plans?"

After carefully thinking Lin Quan replied:

"I'm going to practice at Barcelona for a while longer, then find a team to rent or transfer to!"

"You want to leave Barcelona?"

Guardiola was somewhat surprised by Lin's thoughts.

Players from La Masia's youth training camp rarely have the idea of ​​actively leaving Barcelona.

But looking at Lin's appearance, he seemed to not have such a deep attachment to Barcelona.

Could it be that his strained relationship with the club, which led to his resignation, affected him?

"Yes, Barcelona's first team is full of talented players, and I don't have much opportunity here, so I have to leave!"

Lin said this outwardly, but in his heart, he thought that Barcelona was not worth staying for.

Looking at the operation that kicked out Messi at the transfer deadline ten years later, it was clear that this club had no semblance of compassion.

A legendary player who served the team for 21 years, scored over six hundred goals, and won countless honors, being humiliated and pushed away in such an unempathetic and almost mocking manner.

In a club like this, only a fool would want to stay!

Guardiola paused for a moment. Barcelona indeed had a rich talent pool in midfield.

Busquets, Xavi, and Iniesta, among others, were at their peaks and had strong abilities.

Young players probably couldn't compete against them. Even though during his tenure as the head coach, he had planned to develop Lin as the heir to Xavi.

He even gave him the youth team's number four jersey, the same jersey he wore when he played for Barcelona.

But after he left, he wasn't sure how Barcelona's tactics would change.

Each coach has their own ideas—some prefer to use their academy players, while others like to buy well-known players from outside.

Therefore, the development plan he had previously set for Lin might not be applicable now.

"Well, I respect your choice. Let's talk more when you get back!"

Lin nodded, and Guardiola was now a legendary coach on this planet.

He surely would consider his opinion.

After hugging his family, colleagues, and team players in sequence.

And under the farewell line of the club's staff, Guardiola quickly left the field.

From that moment on, Guardiola and Barcelona had severed their connection.

Many people, including fans and club executives, thought this was just a temporary parting.

When the club's presidency changed, and the conflicts between Guardiola and the club were resolved, he would return.

But no one expected that this parting was a permanent farewell.