I'm not sure that he would have started out the conversation with
I know exactly how you feel having been with Barca for so long....... maybe he DID say, I know how great a feeling it is that you have played for your boyhood club, or something like that.
I just think he congratulated him on a great career, wished him well, and wished him a very happy retirement and that he'd earned it. look at how he interacted with Big Mike..playfully cuffed him and pushed him away at first, we all assume it was for giving his players such a hard time, but then cracked a great big smile and a big hug. look at Antonio's reaction.
that's honestly Pep, I believe, being Pep.
if you really want two great reads, it's his biographies. when he went to Bayern he insisted on players having dinner together after games. and that they brought their families with them.
not only that, but his first interview with the German media (iirc) he conducted it in fluent German.
and I also think when he did say whatever he said, it was honestly 100% from the heart. that's just my thoughts on it.
and probably way wide of the Mark (pun intended)