Bombastic news arrived from Spain a few minutes ago. Gerard Pique has decided to end his career!The Spanish defender announced today through social media that Saturday’s game against Almeria at Camp Nou will be the last of his career.”Culers, Gerard here.In the last few weeks and months, many people have been talking about me. So far, I haven’t said anything.But now I want to be the one to talk about myself.Like many of you, I have always been a Barcelona fan. I grew up in a family that was in love with football and Barcelona. I didn’t want to become a football player from a young age. I wanted to become a Barcelona footballer. I’ve been thinking about that boy a lot these past few days.What would little Gerard think if he found out that all his dreams would come true?##NAJAVA_MECA_6778889##That he will be in the first team of Barcelona. That he will win all possible trophies. That he will become the champion of Europe. That he will become world champion. That he will play together with the best football players in history. That he will become one of the captains. That he will make lifelong friends there.It’s been 25 years since I joined Barcelona. I left and came back.Football gave me everything. You “Culers” gave me everything.🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Gerard Piqué has announced he is leaving Barcelona and will play his last match at Camp Nou this Saturday!(🎥 @3gerardpique)pic.twitter.com/DSAduq2kq9— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 3, 2022 Now that all childhood dreams have come true, I want to tell you that the time has come to bring this wonderful journey to an end. I have always said that after Barca there will be no other club in my life. That’s how it will be. Saturday’s match at Camp Nou will be my last.I am joining the ranks of ordinary fans. I will continue to support Barcelona and pass on my love for it to my children, as my family has passed on to me.You know me. Sooner or later, I’ll be back. See you at Camp Nou. Long live Barca!”And they weren’t good enough for Barcelona…Although he had a contract until the summer of 2024, he decided to hang up his boots after 15 seasons and the moment he returned to Catalonia from Manchester United.Pique is one of the most important players and defenders in Barcelona’s history, for which he played 615 games and scored 30 goals. He was an important part of the best generations in the history of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, with whom he won everything there is to win.Gerard Piqué announces he is retiring from football and will play his last match for Barcelona this Saturday 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/yCe6gg9sk7— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 3, 2022 With Barcelona, he lifted a total of 30 trophies, and a total of 34 cups in various competitions in his club career. He was the world and European champion with the Red Fury.He was irreplaceable with almost all Barcelona coaches, starting with Guardiola, Villanova, Martin, Enrique, Valverde and Setien. But since the arrival of former teammate Xavi on the bench, his role has changed.He became only the fifth choice in the stopper rotation and realized that in Barcelona they no longer count on him seriously. Although he was expected to at least finish the season, he could not bear the marginalization at his club and decided to “call it quits”. He will not accept offers from the MLS league or other areas either because he wanted to finish his career in Barcelona. Maybe a little sooner than he imagined…Didn’t expect it to hit me this hard, but thanks for everything, Geri.There’s one no one can deny, and it’s that you’ve won it all 💙♥️. pic.twitter.com/VBzM3BXmP2— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) November 3, 2022 Lately, he has been under the fire of criticism because of his weak performances but also because of the high contract that he reduced several times in order to help the club in a difficult financial situation. Even in his private life, roses did not bloom because, after a long-term relationship, he recently separated from the Colombian singer Shakira, with whom he has two children.He often attracted attention with his off-field business ventures, he proved to be a serious businessman, but he was also part of some controversial tax evasion scandals. He has never hidden that his desire is to one day become the president of Barcelona.
