Gerard Pique has just one more Barcelona game ahead of him (Picture: Getty Images)
Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from football, bring down the curtain on a sensational career that has seen him win everything at club and international level.
The 35-year-old has made 615 appearances for Barcelona, winning eight La Liga titles and the Champions League three times. He also won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship with Spain.
The defender also picked up a Premier League and Champions League title during his stint with Manchester United between starting his footballing life at Barca and returning to the club in 2008.
He has continued to feature this season, but has now announced that Saturday’s home game against Almeria in La Liga will be his last at the Camp Nou.
Pique said in a farewell video posted on social media: ‘The last few weeks, months, lots of 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 have always been a Barca fan. I was born into a football loving family of Barca fans.
‘From a very young age I didn’t want to become a football player, I wanted to be a Barca player.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that kid lately. About what little Gerard would have thought if he had bene told that all his dreams would come true.
‘That he would make it to Barca first team that he would win every trophy possible. That he would become European champion and World champion. That he would play alongside the bests players in history. That he would become one of the team’s captains. That he would make friends for life. It’s been 25 years since I joined Barca. I left and I came back.
‘Football has given me everything. Barca has 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 not be any other team after Barca. And that’s 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 you at Camp Nou, Long live Barca. Always.’
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‘I’ve always said that there would not be any other team after Barca. And that’s how it will be.’
