Benvolgut Capi,
Hearing you speak about leaving Barcelona sent a terrible shiver down my spine. Don't get me wrong, many Cules have been dreading the thought of you leaving the Camp Nou for many months now and, unfortunately, the moment to wave you goodbye has finally come.
I can vividly remember your first game with Barcelona: It was a freezing cold night away at Valladolid back in 1999. You made an instant impact as an aggressive, spirited right-back who behaved like a veteran from the very moment you started playing at first-team level. From that point on, it was clear that you were going to make history as one of the best players to ever defend the Blaugrana colours.
After 15 seasons as a professional and a mind-blowing 593 appearances, it is definitely safe to say that you are a living legend whom club supporters will never forget. Your impeccable behaviour on and off the pitch should become part of the La Masia textbook, the ultimate example of what an ultra-professional sportsman can achieve thanks to endless desire, sacrifice and inner strength.
You have worked with some of the most talented teammates and coaches the Catalans have ever had. Your discipline and positioning improved tremendously under Louis Van Gaal. The arrival of Ronaldinho, together with your leadership and determination, helped put the club back on the map after years of painful struggle. Your solid partnership with the young Gerard Pique was the backbone of Pep Guardiola's mesmerising Barcelona, the team which will always be remembered as the ultimate example of what this club is all about: beautiful, attacking, effective football.
At your peak, you were simply the best defender in Blaugrana history. Whether you were marking the infamous Luis Figo or the ever-present Raul, Cules always felt that you would ultimately have the upper hand when faced with difficult challenges. Rather than crumble under pressure, you always rose above adversity and found a way to come out victorious.
Club supporters are hugely grateful for the unconditional love you have shown Barca at every level. Whether you were starring as a colossal gladiator in the Champions League final or sidelined due to injury during the freezing cold winter months, you have always demonstrated a faultless attitude toward teammates, staff, fans and media. There are not many people who, after nearly two decades involved in the game, can honestly say they have never had any remarkable conflicts with anybody.
Unfortunately, you have suffered a tremendous 38 injuries during your time as a professional. Your incredibly strong body has ultimately taken its toll after many years of pushing it to the very limit, fighting for every single ball as if your life depended on it. Having witnessed how intensely you have played and trained over the years, it is hardly surprising that your privileged physique has finally had enough.
It was a brave move to come out and publicly admit that you are voluntarily leaving your beloved Barca, because you can't reach your own incredibly high standards. Indeed it is humbling. I am certain that many others in your position would have happily wasted away on the bench for the remaining two years of their contract, collecting a generous paycheck in the meantime.
Cules have seen you savouring glory, screaming at unfocused teammates, crying in desperate pain and picking your team up when they needed it the most. I honestly don't think you can even begin to imagine how much you mean for millions of Barca fans around the world, many of whom weren't even born when you signed your first Blaugrana contract back in 1995.
Tiburon, Carles, Capita: You will be dearly missed. The fortnightly trips to the Camp Nou will just never be the same without you. Luckily, your legendary effort has generated a titanic amount of positive memories which club supporters will cherish for many years to come.
Gracies per tot, Capi!
More than 340,000 Cules follow Francesc Tomas at @TomasESPN and Barcablog Facebook for news and opinion notes on Barcelona.