After several months of speculation regarding his future, Spanish footballer and Blaugrana legend Gerard Piqué has decided to put an end to his impressive career.
The center back will forever be remembered as part of the team that dominated the world of football between 2009 and 2015, a team that included Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and Piqué himself. That team was led to two trebles, one with Pep Guardiola as coach and one more with Luis Enrique at the helm in 2015.
The footballer had seen his playing time reduced during the current season, and with talks to extend his contract reaching a roadblock, the former Spanish international has decided to hang his boots.
Added to his problems on the pitch, Piqué has been in the middle of a controversial separation from Colombian singer Shakira, which has also shifted his focus away from his activities as a footballer.
In a two-minute video posted on social media, Piqué states that Saturday's game at Camp Nou will be his last club match ever, and after that, he will end his playing career. He announced his retirement with the words "I had said that after Barcelona there would not be another team, and that's how it's going to be."
Piqué will retire from professional football having won eight La Liga titles, six Supercopa de España crowns, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four UEFA Champions League trophies, one with Manchester United and three more with his beloved club.
Have a look at Piqué's farewell video here.
Culers, us he de dir una cosa. pic.twitter.com/k3V919pm1T
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) November 3, 2022