FC Barcelona center-back Gerard Pique shocked the soccer world by announcing his sudden retirement from the sport. The 35-year-old player will play his final home game for Barca against Almeria in La Liga and will step down from his playing career as the World Cup break gets underway.
“The last few weeks, months, people have been talking about me,” Pique said in a video that he uploaded to social media. “Until now, I have not said anything, but now I want to be the one who is talking about me.” The Spanish international went on to express his love for FC Barcelona, explaining how he has been a fan of the Blaugranes throughout his life.
“I have always said that after Barcelona there will be no other team, and that is how it will be. This Saturday’s game will be my last at Camp Nou,” Pique confirmed.
Pique joined the Barcelona youth academy in 1997 before which his grandfather served on the club’s board. He left for Manchester United in 2004, only to return to his boyhood club in 2008, where he would spend the rest of his career.
Pique has earned every major honor in soccer, including four Champions League titles (three of which were with Barcelona) as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 European Championship with Spain.
