Busquets: "The squad is excited, ambitious and looking to compete"
The new captain dedicated a large part of his address to the outgoing Leo Messi
FC Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets told the crowd at the Estadi Johan Cruyff that the squad is "excited, ambitious and looking to compete on all fronts" in the upcoming season, despite the departure of Leo Messi.
Ahead of the friendly against Juventus, he said "We'll do it with you [the fans]. We need you more than ever. We need your help, your support, and we're sure you'll give it to us".
Busquets dedicated much of his speech to Leo Messi, whose name was sung by the fans. Other players, however, such as Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic, were booed by sections of the crowd.
"I want to give a special mention to Leo. Thank you, Leo, for taking Barça to the very pinnacle; for making history [with the club] while being the best player in the world; and for beating all the individual and collective records [imaginable]. We will always be very grateful for everything you have done. We will miss you and we wish you all the best", he said.
He said that he is "very proud" to become first captain of FC Barcelona, and said that he will try to "meet the standards" set by his predecessors Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Messi himself.
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