The Barcelona defender confirmed that his final game will be on Saturday against Almera.
Gerard Piqué, a soccer player, has announced his retirement from the sport, telling fans in a social media video that it is now “time to bring this journey to an end.”
The Barcelona defender, 35, posted a touching video on Instagram on Thursday, ahead of his final game against Almera on Saturday. Piqué, who split from longtime girlfriend Shakira in June, joined the club’s academy in 1997 and returned to the club in 2008 after a stint with Manchester United.
“People have been talking about me for the last few weeks, months,” Piqué said in the video. “I haven’t said anything until now, but now I want to be the one talking about myself.”
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While the video began with newer footage of the soccer star, it also included throwback footage of him as a child kicking a ball around. Piqué explained that he became a Barcelona fan after being “born into a football-loving family,” and his goal wasn’t even to be a pro soccer player it was to play for Barcelona specifically.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about that kid lately. If he had been told he would be a European and world champion, that he would play for Barcelona, that he would win every trophy possible, He revealed that he would play alongside the greatest players in history and become one of the team’s captains. “Football has provided me with everything.” You, the fans, have provided me with everything. “And now that my childhood dreams have been realized, I’d like to inform you that I’ve decided to end this journey.”
With his final game at Camp Nou set for Saturday, Piqué said it’s time for him to “become a regular fan” and pass on his love of the team to his children, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, whom he shares with Shakira, 45.
“And you know me, I’ll be back sooner or later.” We’ll see you at Camp Nou. “Always and forever, Visca Barca”, he finished.
According to ESPN, Piqué has won eight LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues during his time at Barcelona. He helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012 before retiring from international soccer in 2018.
He played 615 games for Barcelona, according to CNN, and there have been rumors in recent years that he may want to run for club president.
“Piqué is part of the Barcelona badge; he has accomplished everything with the club,” said President Joan Laporta in a statement. “He will always be an icon for the Culers, having demonstrated what he wants from Barcelona.” He has been associated with the club for the past 25 years. It has been a privilege to have him as a Barcelona player.
Pique and Shakira split in early June after first confirming their relationship in March 2011. The ex-couple met on the set of her music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“We regret to inform you that we have decided to divorce,” they said in a joint statement. “We request privacy at this time to ensure the safety of our children, who are our top priority.” Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration.
Throughout their decade together, the couple made sporadic red-carpet appearances, and Shakira would frequently accompany him to his soccer games with their two children.
In a September interview with Elle, the musician described her relationship with grieving as “the darkest hours of my life” and said music helped her get through it. “I’ve kept quiet and just tried to process everything,” she explained. “It’s difficult to talk about because I’m still going through it and because I’m in the public eye.”
“Gerard is the father of my children, regardless of how things did end or how we feel about each other as ex-partners. “We have a job to do for these two amazing boys,” Shakira continued, adding, “and I hope and would appreciate it if we were given the space to do that privately.”