The World Cup is taking place this month, and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has declared his retirement from the game.
After 14 years in the first squad, the 35-year-old Spanish defender announced that Saturday’s LaLiga encounter against Almeria will be his final at Camp Nou for the Catalan club.
Barcelona will travel to play Osasuna the following week after their match against Almeria. In a video shared on social media, Pique remarked, “There has been discussion about me for weeks.
I haven’t said anything, but I’d like to now.
I’ve always supported Barcelona since, like many of you, I come from a football family. I wanted to play for Barca; I didn’t want to play football.
“Recently, I have given a lot of thought to how that younger Gerard would have felt if I had told him he would achieve all of his goals, play for Barca, and win both the European and World Championships.
“That he would play alongside the best players and captain the team. … Football has given me everything, Barcelona has given me everything, and you, the supporters, have given me everything. And now that my childhood ambitions have been realized, the time has come to close this chapter.
“I have consistently stated that there will be no other team after Barcelona, and that is how it will be. My final match at Camp Nou will be on Saturday.
“After that, I’ll become a new supporter of the team and pass along my enthusiasm for the club to my children as they did for me. And as you are aware, I shall return at some point. Come see us at Camp Nou. Always and forever, Visca Barca.
