'I'll be back': Gerard Pique announces retirement, set to play final game at Camp Nou
BARCELONA, SPAIN: Football legend Gerard Pique has decided to hang his book after his game at Camp Nou this week. The club where he entertained passionate fans for more than a decade and was part of the historical moment will be playing his last game against Almeria on Saturday, November 5. The Spanish center-back will be remembered as one of the modern greats of his generation.
Pique broke the news on his social media platform where he shared a video announcing his decision. It is the last club game before World Cup 2022 begins in Qatar. He has won two European Championships with Barcelona and the World Cup with the national team. He captioned the video he posted on his social media, “Culers, I have something to tell you.” The 35-year-old football star can be seen at several Barcelona landmarks, which comprised of Camp Nou as he addresses fans to club’s fans.
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Culers, us he de dir una cosa. pic.twitter.com/k3V919pm1T
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) November 3, 2022
“Culers, I have something to tell you. The last months, weeks, lots have been talking about me. Until now, I haven't said anything. But now, I want to be the one talking about me. Like many of you, I've always been a Barca fan. I was born into a football-loving family of Barca fans,” Pique said in the video, as reported by the Daily Mail.
He continued “From a very young age, I did not want to become a football player, I wanted to play for Barca. I have been thinking a lot about that kid lately, about what little Gerard would have thought had all his dreams come true. That he would make it to the Barca first team, that he would win every trophy possible. That he would become a European champion and world champion. That he would play alongside some of the best players in history, and captain the club and make friends for life.”
In the emotional message, he further said, “It has been 25 years since I joined Barca, I left and I came back. Football has given me everything. I have always said that I would not be in any other team after I left Barca, and that is how it will be. This Saturday's game will be my last at Camp Nou. I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barca to my children, like my family did with me. And you know me, sooner or later, I'll be back.”
"I'll see at the Camp Nou. Long live Barca. Always,” Pique ended his message with these words, according to the report.
Pique, who had joined Barcelona when he was five years old, went on to become one of the greatest defenders in the club's history. He left Barca in 2007 and played for Manchester United, where he won the Premier League and the Champions League in 2007–2008, and returned to the club as Pep Guardiola started his revolution.