WORLD CUP 2010: This one is for Arsenal! Cesc Fabregas dedicates Spain's triumph to club and its supporters
Cesc Fabregas dedicated Spain's World Cup win to his Arsenal team-mates and supporters after lifting the trophy in Johannesburg.
Amid a very public pursuit from Barcelona, the 23-year-old was reluctant to talk about where he would be playing next season.
But the Gunners skipper, who has endured five trophy-less season in north London, went out of his way to again reaffirm his respect for his current employers.
Glory: Fabregas holds aloft the World Cup on a night to remember for Spain
'All I can say is that this (World Cup victory) is for all the Arsenal players and fans, they are a world-class club,' he said after being quizzed on his future. 'I am an Arsenal player and I am proud to be.'
Such commitment will be welcomed by fans at the Emirates Stadium, but there remains a question over whether his dedication is a parting gift or a U-turn on his desire to return to Catalonia.
Fabregas told Wenger in May that he would like to join Barcelona, but the midfielder has been publicly building bridges with Arsenal following difficult negotiations between the two clubs.
New Barca president Sandro Rosell hopes to clinch a deal for under £40million, which is way below Arsenal's valuation of a player who they publicly insist is not actually for sale at any price this summer.
Rosell is set to change tack in his pursuit by putting an end to the constant statements and leaks to Catalan press which have angered Arsenal.
Making an impact: Substitute Fabregas charges through the Dutch defence during the final
Fabregas, meanwhile, impressed as an 87th-minute substitute in the final, which was his fourth appearance from the bench at the finals.
'It has been a difficult tournament for me and I didn't get to play so much,' he said.
'Something inside me was telling me this was my chance. All my family wanted to come and be part of this.
'It has been a hard season, but now it doesn't matter at all. This is one of the best moments of my life.'
At the final whistle, Fabregas showed sympathy for Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie, who was on the losing team with Holland.
'The first thing I had to do after the final whistle was go to Robin,' he said. 'Instead of celebrating with my friends, I wanted to talk to him.
'He has been injured a lot and if it wasn't us he was playing against, it would have been different. I hope he has has his chance again, because he is a great guy and a great leader.'
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