Barcelona Legend Gerard Pique has announced plans to retire from football, noting that this weekend’s game against Almeria will be his last.
On Saturday FC Barcelona host UD Almeria at the Spotify Camp Nou, in what will be the last game in a Barca jersey for Gerard Pique.
The 35-year-old retired from international football in 2018 after achieving 102 caps for Spain. Pique also won the 2012 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
His decision comes as a shock to the Catalan giants since his contract was to run till 2024.
Gerard Pique made the announcement of his retirement through a video on social media, “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.”
Barca Member Since Birth
Born in Barcelona, Gerard Pique graduated from the La Masia academy but made a move to Manchester United as a 17-year-old.
At Manchester United, under Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Pique won the League Cup, Champions League, and Premier League, but only made 23 appearances throughout the campaign.
Lack of consistent game time pushed Pique back to Barca, under then newly appointed Manager, Pep Guardiola.
At Barcelona, Gerard Pique won 30 trophies in 615 games with the first as a fantastic treble in the 2008–09 season making him one of football’s top defenders.
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The Barcelona defender hinted that a return to the club is still in consideration,
“This Saturday’s game will be my last at Camp Nou. 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.”
Pique is a businessman outside of sports and owns the Spanish second-division team Andorra. He is also the CEO and founder of Kosmos Tennis, which partnered with the International Tennis Federation for $3 billion in 2018.
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