Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has announced he is retiring from football, and Saturday’s La Liga match against Almeria will be his last.
The defender has confirmed in a video on social media that he will retire from football after Barcelona’s clash against Almeria on Saturday in La Liga. Pique has fallen out of favour at the Spotify Camp Nou this season, making just three La Liga starts, and has decided to call time on his trophy-laden career.
Pique has slipped behind Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia in the pecking order at Barcelona this season and has spent most of the campaign on the bench. The defender has previously said he would rather retire than accept being a substitute for a whole season and now looks set to keep his word.
The defender will wave farewell to Barcelona fans on Saturday at the Spotify Camp Nou against Almeria in what is bound to be an emotional game for the 35-year-old club legend.
“Football has given me everything. Barcelona has given me everything. You, culers(Barcelona fans), have given me everything”,
“And now that [this] kid’s dreams have come true, I want to tell you that I’ve decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.” The player said.
Pique, who won 102 caps for Spain and helped them to victory in the 2010 World Cup, has become a peripheral figure for Barcelona this season, making only five starts.
However, the former Manchester United defender wants his boyhood club to be his last, saying: “I’ve always said that there would not be any other team after Barca, and that’s how it will be.”
Pique finished his statement by hinting at a future return to the club in a non-playing capacity.
“This Saturday’s game will be my last at Camp Nou,” he said. “I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barcelona to my children.
“And you know me – sooner or later, I’ll be back.”
Discussion about this post