Barcelona’s Gerard Pique announced his reirement on Thursday after a decorated career. “Saturday’s match (against Almeria) will be my last.
Gerard Pique : Man utd | Why is retiring | Has retired
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Piqué started his career in FC Barcelona’s youth teams as a defensive midfielder, but before he signed his first professional contract with the club, he decided to join Manchester United.
The Premier League club did not pay a fee for Piqué as he was too young to have a professional contract.
Originally one of the most promising students at La Masia, Piqué joined Manchester United in 2004. He returned to Barcelona in 2008 under Pep Guardiola’s leadership and helped the club win trebles in 2008–09 and 2014–15.
He is one of only four players to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams, the others being Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa and Samuel Eto’o.
Gerard Pique man utd
Piqué made his debut for Manchester United in October 2004, as a centre-back, a 67th minute replacement for John O’Shea in a 3–0 League Cup victory at Crewe Alexandra.
He made his full debut in January 2005 in a 0–0 FA Cup draw with Exeter City. Pique made his Premier League debut on 15 October 2005, again as a substitute for O’Shea, in a 3–1 win over Sunderland.
Gerard Pique man utd as his first league start came on 29 March 2006 against West Ham United at Old Trafford, playing at right-back, as Gary Neville was unavailable through injury.
His performances, most notably in the reserve team, earned him a new contract, which he signed in February 2005, to run until the summer of 2009. On 4 August 2006, however, La Liga club Real Zaragoza secured Piqué on a season-long loan.
The conditions of the loan involved Piqué having to feature in at least 20 games for the Aragonese club, which he did, as he made 22 first team appearances in a successful spell, alongside Argentine Gabriel Milito, either as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder.
Piqué’s return to Old Trafford saw him make nine league appearances during the 2007–08 season. In his first start in the UEFA Champions League, a 4–0 home win against Dynamo Kyiv on 7 November 2007, Piqué scored the first of Manchester United’s four goals in that match.
Why is retiring
Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique called time on his glittering career on Thursday, saying he will retire from football when La Liga breaks for the World Cup this month.
Pique, 35, said in a video posted on social media that Saturday’s league clash with Almeria will be his last at Barcelona’s Camp Nou after 14 years with the Catalan giants following his return from Manchester United in 2008.
Barcelona will travel to Osasuna on Tuesday for their final fixture before the November 20-December 18 World Cup.
“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… I’ve always said 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,” Pique said.
Regarded as one of the best centre backs of his generation, Pique collected 35 trophies during his 18-year career.
Pique won nine league titles in Spain and England, four Champions League trophies, as well as a World Cup and European Championship.
Pique has fallen out of favour at the Camp Nou this season, making just three La Liga starts, and has decided to call time on his trophy-laden career.
Gerard Pique has retired
Legendary Spanish football star Gerard Pique, on Thursday, November 3, announced that he would call it a day from the sport after Barcelona’s next La Liga match.
The 35-year-old Pique took to his social media handle to announce that Barcelona’s match against Almeria on Sunday, November 6 at Camp Nou would be his last appearance.
The Barcelona-born Pique has gone down the barrel a little this season, having made only three starts in the ongoing La Liga edition.
Pique represented Spain from 2009 to 2018, where he scored five goals from 102 matches.
He was a crucial part of Manchester United from 2004 to 2008 and also played for Real Zaragoza during that period.
The Spanish legend joined Barcelona back in 2008 and has been a fulcrum of their setup since. Pique plays as a centre-back for the La Liga team.
Barcelona are currently placed second in the points table with 10 wins from 12 matches and a goal difference of 25, six more than table-toppers, Real Madrid, who have 32 points from 12 matches.
Barcelona will go into their upcoming match after beating Valencia 1-0 on Sunday, October 30 at Mestella. Robert Lewandowski scored in the 93rd minute to save the day for Barcelona in the closely-fought encounter.