Gerard Pique announces his retirement from football at age 35
Barcelona and Spanish defender Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from football after 25 years of kicking and chasing footballs. He made the announcement in a video posted on Twitter which has since clocked over 12 million views and half a million likes.
The Barcelona legend who also played for Manchester United between 2004 and 2008 and Real Zaragoza between 2006 and 2007 while on loan from Manchester United will play his last game for the Catalans on Saturday against Almeira.
Pique has made nearly 400 appearances for Barcelona in La Liga and over 500 in all competitions while also turning out 102 times for the Spanish national team. Just as he returned having left earlier to join Manchester United, he has promised to be back in Camp Nou soon.
Watch the video below.
Culers, it’s Gerard.
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’ve always been a Barça fan. I was born into a football-loving family of Barça fans. From a very young age, I didn’t want to become a football player, I wanted to be a Barça player.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that kid lately. About what little Gerard would have thought if he had been told all his dreams would come true. That he would make it to the Barça first team. That he would win every trophy possible. That he would become European Champion. World Champion. That he would play alongside the best 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 Barça. I left and came back. Football has given me everything. Barça 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 there would not be any other team after Barça. 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 Barça 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.
Visca el Barça. Always.
