Gerard Pique has declared his retirement from professional football, saying his farewell game will be Saturday’s meeting between Barcelona and Almeria at the Nou Camp.
The 35-year-old with his childhood club Barcelona, a three-time Champions League and eight-time La Liga champion, shared the good news in a video message on his social media.
“Football has given me everything,” he said. “Barcelona has given me everything. You, culers (Barcelona fans), have given me everything.”
“And now that [this] 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.”
Pique, who amassed 102 caps for Spain and contributed to their World Cup success in 2010, has faded into the background for Barcelona this year, making only five starts.
The former Manchester United defender, though, declared that he would leave his childhood team, saying: “I’ve always said that there would not be any other team after Barca and that’s how it will be.”
Pique hinted at a potential future return to the team in a non-playing capacity as he concluded his remarks.
“This Saturday’s game will be my last at Camp Nou,” he said. “I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barcelona to my children.
“And you know me – sooner or later, I’ll be back.”
Gerard Pique
Spanish professional footballer Gerard Piqué Bernabeu (born 2 February 1987) plays center back for La Liga team Barcelona.
He is regarded as one of his generation’s top defenders.
Piqué, who was once among La Masia’s most promising students, joined Manchester United in 2004.
Under Pep Guardiola’s direction, he returned to Barcelona in 2008, where he helped the team win trebles in 2008–09 and 2014–15.
He is one of only four players—the others being Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Samuel Eto’o—to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams.
Piqué also made his debut on February 11, 2009, and has since played 102 times for Spain.
He was a crucial part of the Spain squads that won the UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Immediately following the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he left the national team.
Gerard Pique Net Worth
By winning La Liga championships, Super Cups, and the Copa del Rey while a member of Club Barcelona, Gerard helped the Blaugrana team experience one of its best times.
In this way, the Catalan defender’s successful career has also enabled him to collect a wealth thought to be worth $55 million. Up until last year, it was believed that the defender made an estimated $220,000 each week thanks to a contract worth $11.5 million annually and a bonus of $3.2 million.
Piqué Bernabéu also receives additional revenue through his work as a Nike ambassador and as a founding partner of Kosmos Global Holding, S.L., a firm that creates sports initiatives with an emphasis on tennis, soccer, and entertainment content.
He got more than $20 million from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after arranging for the Spanish Super Cup to be played in Saudi Arabia, which has since brought his name into disrepute.
Gerard Pique’s Achievements
Piqué is a dynamic and powerful defender who blends physical strength and tackling prowess with excellent passing and skill.
With his assistance, Barcelona was able to win the following trophies:
Gerard Pique’s major trophies
- English League Cup – 2006
- Premier League – 2008
- Champions League – 2008 (Man Utd), 2009, 2011, 2015 (Barcelona)
- La Liga – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Copa del Rey – 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
- European Super Cup – 2009, 2011, 2015
- Club World Cup – 2009, 2011, 2015
- World Cup – 2010
- European Championship – 2012
What happened between Gerard Pique and Shakira
When it was revealed that Shakira had broken up with her longtime boyfriend Gerard Pique, her fans expressed disbelief.
The 12-year-old marriage broke up in June amid infidelity claims and will likely spend the foreseeable future coparenting boys Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7.
In an interview with the Spanish news outlet EsDiario, Roberto Garcia, the ex-boyfriend of one of Shakira’s sisters, stated that while his ex-sister-in-law and the soccer player appeared to have a wonderful relationship, their issues actually started months ago and were purely financial.
Garcia claimed that Pique once requested a sizable sum of cash from the Colombian singer in order to invest in other ventures, but Shakira turned him down since her parents disagreed—and they are the ones who have the last word on her financial situation.
“According to what a person very close to them has told me, there has been an economic problem between the two. Supposedly, Piqué would have asked Shakira for money for an investment issue and the singer’s family has refused to give it to him. They don’t mix their money and they keep the family economy at 50%”, said Roberto Garcia.
Gerard Pique’s Girlfriend
Since her connection with the Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was made public, Clara Chia, a young Catalan woman, has been on everyone’s lips.
Since then, everyone has been curious as to the young woman’s position at the football player’s company, Kosmos.
The 23-year-old reportedly works in the administrative division, in part because of her background in public relations.
Furthermore, Chia has worked there since she was a trainee, so she is already familiar with the business.
The Barcelona defender and Chia met while the latter was working as a server at one of the clubs he frequented with some of his teammates, including Riqui Puig. Since that time, Pique has frequently been spotted with the teenager.
