Saturday’s league clash with Almería will be Gerard Pique’s last with the Catalan giants after 14 years at Barcelona’s Camp Nou
Saturday’s league clash with Almería will be Gerard Pique’s last with the Catalan giants after 14 years at Barcelona’s Camp Nou
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique described the time of his illustrious career on 3 November, saying he would retire from football when LaLiga breaks up for the World Cup this month.
Pique, 35, said in a video posted on social media that Saturday’s league clash with Almería will be his last match with the Catalan giants at Barcelona’s Camp Nou after 14 years since returning from Manchester United in 2008.
Barcelona will travel to Osasuna on Tuesday for their final match before November 20-December. 18 World Cup.
“I want to tell you that I have decided that it is time to end this journey,” said Pique, who did not make a regular start for Barcelona in the video.
“I have always said that there will be no other team after Barca. And it will be so. This Saturday’s game will be my last match at Camp Nou.”
Barcelona tweeted after the player’s announcement: “Life dedicated to Barca. Thank you, Pique.”
Pique, a member of Barcelona’s youth academy, announced his retirement from the Spain national team in 2018.
La Vanguardia newspaper reported that the player has a contract with Barcelona until 2024, but will forgo the rest of the year and half of his salary.
The decision will help Barcelona improve their financial fair play margins as Pique is one of their best paid players.
The pick has been the subject of off-pitch news in recent months.
In June he announced his separation from Colombian singer Shakira, and in April he denied any wrongdoing over his involvement in helping the Spanish FA secure an agreement to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. , a settlement that earned his Cosmos company 24 million euros ($23.41 million). ) in commission.
Regarded as one of the best center backs of his generation, Pique collected 35 trophies during his 18-year career.
Pique won nine league titles, four Champions League trophies, as well as one World Cup and European Championship in Spain and England.
Pique has said that he would like to become the president of Barcelona one day. In his farewell video, he said: “Sooner or later, I’ll be back”, looking at the Camp Nou seats on board.