Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from professional football at 35. The Spanish footballer said his final game for Barcelona will be against Almeria at the Nou Camp on Saturday.
The three-time Champions League and eight-time La Liga winner with Barcelona, revealed the news in a video message posted on his social media.
“Football has given me everything,” he said. “Barcelona has given me everything. You, culers (Barcelona fans), have given me everything.“
The news surprised all the media and Pique’s teammates, something that no one expected.
A retirement in the middle of the season, in November, is unusual, but when the reasons are considered then the decision begins to make sense.
Pique was the fifth-choice centre-back in his team this year, behind Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, and his coach did not count on him much at all.
Only injuries to all his teammates have meant that the Catalan has had minutes so far this season, otherwise he would not have had any.
Between LaLiga Santander and the Champions League, he has played nine matches, amassing a total of 555 minutes.
According to Marca, the central defender has struggled, committing numerous blunders in the few matches he has played, something that even provoked the whistling of his fans.
Xavi already told him that it would be difficult to break into the team, but Pique wanted to try. Now he has seen that he has not been able to.
His recent split with Shakira has not helped the footballer’s situation. His alleged infidelity and subsequent relationship with Clara Chia has put his personal life in the headlines.
Shakira has already composed two songs that seem to criticize him.
Furthermore, the custody battle over their children has further hurt Pique.
If Shakira finally goes to live permanently in the United States, Pique would not be able to see his children.
His family is above all else and he is not willing to be away from them just to stay and play in Barcelona.
In addition to his football, Pique’s burgeoning business empire has recently taken his focus away from the pitch.
He organized the Davis Cup while his team was playing, something that did not please the fans, and he has been investing in various other companies.