Gerard Pique can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to the national side, as seen when he received heavy criticism during the 2-0 win over Albania.
The Barca defender, unpopular for his support of the Catalonia’s independence movement, appeared to have cut out bands representing the Spanish flag when trimming the sleeves of his jersey.
The center-back then made an admission that could easily hurt the national side: he will retire from La Furia Roja after the upcoming 2018 World Cup.
He said (as per BBC Sport): “I have tried everything, but I can't bear this anymore.
"Today's issue of the sleeves is the straw that breaks the camel. They've managed to make me lose the excitement of coming here and although after Russia I'll only be 31, I'll leave."
Pique, currently only 29 years old, was an instrumental figure in Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010 and their European Championship success in 2012.
The Blaugrana ace may change his mind, though, as he has received support from the RFEF, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation clearing the air regarding the issue in a public statement via their official website.
“On the contrary to what some malicious comments where the Spanish player was accused of cutting the sleeves of the jersey to avoid wearing the band with the national colours. In this regard, the RFEF wishes to explain that said band on the Adidas jersey only exists in the short sleeve version, and not on the long sleeve, which is the one Piqué used in the match.”
“Gerard Piqué cut the sleeve with the sole aim of playing more comfortably, the same way other players have done on many occasions,” read the statement.
The RFEF blasted the heat Pique received as “unjustified criticism”
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