Football: Barca’s Pique says he felt liberated with decision to retire
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Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is celebrated by his teamates at the end of the match.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BARCELONA - Retiring Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said he felt liberated when coach Xavi Hernandez took him off in the 83rd minute of the 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday as he walked off in tears to a standing ovation from a packed Nou Camp.
Pique, 35, announced on Friday that this would be his last game as he decided to retire from football when La Liga breaks for the World Cup from Thursday.
“It was like taking a heavy burden off my back when I walked off the pitch,” he told DAZN. “The last few months were really difficult and today I felt liberated. It was a lifetime experience that I’ll take forever with me.”
Pique started the game as captain in a season where he faced heavy criticism for his poor form and fell out of favour with Xavi, who reportedly asked him in the close season to leave or retire.
The signings of centre-backs Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and the breakout performances of youngster Ronald Araujo have left Pique out of the picture.
There was the added pressure regarding his salary, reportedly the biggest at a club struggling financially and where every euro could affect their ability to sign or register new players as they face the scrutiny of La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
According to multiple reports, Pique will renounce the remaining 18 months of his salary, a decision that will help Barca improve their FFP margin.
After the game, Pique was lifted in the air by his teammates and celebrated by the fans who chanted repeatedly “President! President! President!” as he is widely viewed in Barcelona as a future candidate to take over that post.
As he addressed the Nou Camp crowd in an emotional speech, Pique said: “When you get older, you realise that sometimes to love is to let go. I’m convinced that I’ll be here again in the future. I love Barca. That’s why I consider it’s the right moment to go. This is not a goodbye.”
Xavi told DAZN: “I have told him that he is a legend at Barca and we are very grateful for his years at the club.”
Regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, Pique won the European Championship in 2012 and World Cup in 2010 with Spain.
He also bagged 30 trophies for Barca since joining in 2008 from Manchester United. Only Lionel Messi (35) and Andres Iniesta (32) have won more trophies for the Catalan side. REUTERS
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong scores their second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
