illo tempore mihi visum est

http://Carta A Un Amigo (A Letter to a Friend) by Andrés Iniesta

I feel a little nervous about writing this, Bojan, because I believe this is the first time that a friend has asked me to write a prologue for a book about their life experiences at Barca. I hope, anyway, that these lines serve to truly express my sentiments.
The truth is that I consider you to be one of my greatest friends; from the beginning, when we met, I think we both realized that we had a connection. Also, you must remember that this friendship was accentuated by an unpleasant incident that I had to live through and that has served the purpose of getting to know myself better, but even more in getting to know you, and where you have shown me of your grandeur as a person through hard times. All I can do is give you thanks because just by talking to you anyone realizes what a great person you are. The good times I have spent with you: the laughs, the talks and all that we have talked about over a variety of topics. The dressing room, the trips, the hostels…allowed us to enjoy personal time in which we have been able to take and use to grow our friendship in getting to know each other better and be able to enjoy those great and positive times.
With only 21 years of age, and only recently turned 21 at that, we have been together 4 seasons on the first team of Barcelona. It’s incredible. On one side you recognize how fast everything went, how fast time flies. They have been seasons of vertigo. Reaching the first team isn’t easy, and at your young age it’s even harder. You don’t even get a preseason to warm up to, kid, you saw.
Now we’re in distinctly different teams but we’re still close. You already know that you can always count on me, in fact a week doesn’t pass by in which we don’t know what’s going on in each other’s life. But don’t fear distance because I’ll still wait for you to continue our sprints or basketball ladders…do you remember?
Certainly, I have to be fair and remember that I still owe you one for the two tickets that you gave me for the final of the Champions in Rome. I asked you for them at the game against Bayern and you gave them to me with the condition that I score at the Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. And I scored! How could I forget that goal, right? The same way you won’t forget that at the celebration of the goal I reminded you that you owed me two tickets, you should have seen your face! In fact, just as I had told you, I scored the goal for those two tickets.
Footballistically, I just want to wish you the best, that you play like you know how to, and you play calm and with something else, goals that you have scored all your life, keep doing them! You are a great striker, you know how to determine plays well, and I’ve been able to see that up close when we’ve played together. Memories come to mind of certain games, plays, but I feel that as a great striker you remember very well the goal that you scored against Osasuna at the Camp Nou and who assisted you too, right? That is why you are a special player, empowered by a goal. Seeing you practice, play and score well, I think that by being patient but consistent you will have your prize and enjoy the stability of a team.
At Roma you will definitely have occasions to show your quality. The truth is that, as you know, we at Barcelona have become followers of Roma and will watch what will happen. It will be difficult making time during such a tight season but we’ll see if there will be a day in which I can escape and visit the city. With what you have told me, I really want to. Your job now is to learn Italian and get to know the restaurants.
I have the conviction that this time together, spent day to day, I have been able to become close to you and help you, cheering you on at all times. Go hard!
You are great, my friend!
Andrés Iniesta

OH GOD IS THIS A REAL THING SOBBING ANDREEEEEEEES

(Source: lorrainbow, via elbroquil)