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The best Barcelona moments and quotes of 2017

It’s been an interesting year at Camp Nou!

FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Barcelona bid farewell to 2017 top of the Liga table, safely into the knockout stages of the Champions League and with the future looking pretty bright.

However, it’s been a crazy year, the comeback win over PSG, Luis Enrique’s departure, Ernesto Valverde’s arrival, Neymar’s exit, Ousmane Dembele’s signing, more Messi magic and some amazing games against Real Madrid.

And so as we head into 2018, here’s a quick a look back at the last 12 months...

What they said...before the second leg of Barcelona v PSG

“If they can score four, we can score six” - Luis Enrique.

"If we can put four past Madrid at the Bernabeu, why can't we do the same against PSG at Camp Nou?” - Luis Suarez.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

What they said...after the second leg of Barcelona v PSG

"No, I cannot believe it. It was really impossible. 15-20 minutes after the game, it is crazy and unbelievable” - Ivan Rakitic.

“Hospitals should hire more nurses in nine months because there will be a lot of love made tonight” - Gerard Pique.

FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

What they said….about Neymar

"It is 200% certain that Neymar will not leave Barcelona," said vice-president Jordi Mestre in July.

“Neymar is with us and we absolutely want him to stay here, the rest is just rumours,” said Ernesto Valverde during their US tour.

While Gerard Pique memorably took to Twitter with just two little words:

"We believed them too much. When a player wants to leave he must be honest, as Alexis, Pedro or Cesc did. We will not hurt a player that is not happy" - Josep Maria Bartomeu

"Barcelona and Catalonia will always be in my heart, but I need new challenges. I accepted PSG's proposition to try new achievements and help the club win the titles that their crowd wants” - Neymar.

What Luis Enrique said as he left

“If someone told me I would win nine trophies out of 13, I would have been delighted. I have received 100 percent from the team and I have given them 100 percent, too. I don't think anyone can knock me in that regard."

FC Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves - Copa Del Rey Final Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

What Ernesto Valverde said when he arrived

"When a team like Barcelona call you, you don't need to think too much about it. It's the most difficult challenge in my career but also the nicest. I have great confidence.”

FC Barcelona Unveil New Head Coach Ernesto Valverde Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

What Paulinho said about joining Barcelona

"Suddenly, I saw Messi behind me getting closer bit by bit, and he says 'are we going to Barcelona or not?' I said, 'If you want to bring me there, you can. I'll go. I was so nervous I told Willian, 'you take the free-kick'.”

Brazil v Ecuador - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

What Ousmane Dembele said when he arrived

“I’m not here to substitute Neymar. Barcelona needed a player in my position and I’m here to help. I’m two footed. I prefer to dribble with the left and shoot with the right. Neymar is one of the best players in the world and I’m still young. It’s only my second season as a professional.”

Barcelona v Espanyol - La Liga Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

What Jean Seri said about almost joining Barcelona

“My dream of joining Barcelona has been broken and this is terrible for me. From what I understand, the deal did not go through because of financial reasons and that makes me very sad.”

What they said about Andres Iniesta’s lifetime deal

"Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona on Friday, in a deal that will keep him at the club for the rest of his career."

"This is a very special day for me, simply because it means I'm staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for this club. It's where I have grown and developed” - Andres Iniesta.

Real Madrid v Barcelona - La Liga Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images

What they said about Messi’s contract

"Barcelona and Leo Messi have agreed on a contract renewal that will keep the Argentinian at the club until June 30, 2021. The deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training” - Barca statement July 2017.

"This contract is signed until 2021 and he is already playing under it” - Bartomeu September 2017.

"We're convinced Messi will finish his career at Barça. He's the player who has brought us success all these years” - Bartomeu November 2017.

Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruna - La Liga Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

“FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the Club through the 2020/21 season. The buyout clause was set at €700m” - Club statement November 2017.

What was your favourite moment of 2017? Let us know your thoughts and hopes for 2018 in the comments below! Happy New Year!

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