Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from professional football and says his final game will be Barcelona’s match against Almeria at the Nou Camp on Saturday, Sky Sports reported.
The 35-year-old, a three-time Champions League and eight-time La Liga winner with boyhood club Barcelona, revealed the news in a video message posted on his social media.
He said: “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.
“I’ve always said that there would not be any other team after Barca, and that’s how it will be.
“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.”
The former Manchester United defender, 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.
Gerard Pique’s major trophies:
1). English League Cup – 2006 2). Premier League – 2008 3). Champions League – 2008 (Man Utd), 2009, 2011, 2015 (Barcelona) 4). La Liga – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 5). Copa del Rey – 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 6). European Super Cup – 2009, 2011, 2015 7). Club World Cup – 2009, 2011, 2015 8). World Cup – 2010 9). European Championship – 2012
Barcelona described Pique – who was born in the city and whose grandfather was on the club’s board – as a “member since birth”.
He came through La Masia Academy, but made his debut for United in 2004 after moving to Old Trafford as a 17-year-old earlier that year.