Gerard Piqué’s playing career is coming to a sudden end.
The longtime Barcelona center back announced in a video on social media that he will be retiring, with his final match taking place Saturday at Camp Nou against Almeria in what is sure to be an emotional event.
Piqué, 35, came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy before leaving in 2004 for Manchester United, where he was part of the 2007-08 side that did the Premier League and Champions League double. He returned to Barcelona in 2008 and has been a stalwart for the club ever since, a central figure in its rise to become part of the global elite. Piqué has won eight La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, seven Copa del Rey, three Club World Cup trophies and three more UEFA Super Cups as part of his extensive trophy haul. He was also a member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup and 2012 European champion sides, one of the most decorated players of his generation. He retired from the national team following the 2018 World Cup, featuring 102 times for La Furia Roja.
“The last few weeks, months, lots of people have been talking about me. Until now, I haven’t said anything. But now I want to be the one talking about me,” Piqué said in his announcement, in which he confirmed he would not be leaving to play for another club. “I’ve always said that there would not be any other team after Barça. And that’s how it will be. This Saturday’s game will be my last at the Camp Nou. I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barça to my children like my family did with me.”
He also indicated that “I’ll be back,” all while looking in the area of the director’s box, which could mean in a front-office capacity. Piqué’s servitude to the club is well-documented. Amid its financial crisis, he was among the few to take a severe pay cut and defer salary in order for the club to be able to balance its books in accordance with La Liga regulations. He will reportedly terminate his contract with Barcelona, which was due to run through 2023-24.
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