Barcelona captain Xavi left the pitch to a standing ovation as his final La Liga game ended in a draw against Deportivo de La Coruna. The 35-year-old midfielder, who has spent 24 years with the club, was withdrawn with five minutes left and saluted by the whole of the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi’s brace had put Barca 2-0 up before Deportivo fought back. Lucas and Diogo Salomao earned a point for Deportivo who escaped relegation on head-to-head record with Eibar. Barcelona’s players wore special shirts to honour Xavi after he announced he will leave the Spanish champions at the end of the season to join Qatari side Al Sadd.

His final bow at the Nou Camp is expected to come in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next weekend while his last appearance in a Barcelona shirt is likely to be the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin on 6 June. “I am the happiest man in the world today and for the 17 seasons I have been here,” Xavi told the crowd after fighting back tears. “As the coach [Luis Enrique] has said this hasn’t finished. We want two more titles and we want to be here with you all again in Barcelona on 7 June.”