This Saturday’s match between Barcelona and Almeria will be Gerard Pique‘s final game at the Camp Nou, with the centre-back having announced a shock immediate retirement from football this Thursday evening.
With a message on his social media accounts, Pique explained that he is retiring and doing so this week.
He explained that this weekend’s game will be his last at home, although it remains to be seen if he’ll then face Osasuna away on Tuesday in the Catalan club’s final fixture before the World Cup.
Gerard Pique’s full retirement statement
“Culers, it’s Gerard,” he started off saying in the video.
“The last few weeks and months, many people 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 Barcelona fan and I was born into a footballing family.
“From a very young age, I didn’t want to become a footballer. I wanted to become a Barcelona footballer.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about that kid lately, about what the little Gerard would have thought if he had been told that all of his dreams would come true.
“That he would make it to the Barcelona first team and win every trophy possible.
“That he would become a European and world champion and play with the best in the world.
“That he would be one of the team’s captains and make friends for life.
“It’s been 25 years since I joined Barcelona. I left and then came back.
“Football has given me everything. Barcelona have given me everything.
“You, culers, have given me everything.
“And now that all that kid’s dreams have come true, I want to tell you that I’ve decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.
“I’ve always said that there would be no other team after Barcelona and that’s how it will be.”
“This Saturday’s game will be my last at the Camp Nou.
“I will become another fan and support the team and pass my love for Barcelona onto my kids, like parents did for me.
“You know me, and sooner or later I’ll be back.
“See you soon Camp Nou and always long live Barcelona.”
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