Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from football when he breaks the Spanish World Cup this month.
Pique, 35, said that Saturday’s match against Almeria in La Liga will be his last at Camp Nou for the Catalan club after 14 years in the first team after returning from Manchester United in 2008.
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Barcelona will then travel to Osasuna next week for the final before the World Cup in Qatar.
“For weeks there has been talk of me,” Pique said in a video posted on social media. “I didn’t say anything but I want to speak now.
“Like many of you, coming from a football family, I have always been a Barcelona fan. I didn’t want to become a footballer, I wanted to play for Barcelona.
Kohlers, ours is de der Una Cosa. pic.twitter.com/k3V919pm1T
– Gerard Pique (@3gerardpique) November 3, 2022
“Recently, when I was younger, I thought a lot about what Gerrard would think if I told him that he would fulfill all his dreams, that he would play for Barcelona and be European and world champion.
“He will play with the best players, that he will lead the club…Football has given me everything, Barcelona has given me everything, the fans have given me everything. Now my childhood dreams have come true, this moment has arrived to close this chapter.
“I have always said that after Barcelona there will be no other team and that is what it will be. Saturday will be my last game at the Camp Nou.
“I will become another fan after that, I will support the team and pass on my love for the club to my children, as they did with me. And you know me, sooner or later I will be back. See you at Camp Nou. Vesca Barcelona, always and forever.”
