On Thursday, we were given a mixture of good news and bad news. The good news was that Mars Wrigley were going to roll out Celebrations tubs this Christmas without the marmite-esque confectionary Bounty. The bad news, Gerard Pique announced that he is going to retire from football with his final home appearance for Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday followed by an away trip to Osasuna in midweek.
The 35-year-old epitomised the term legend at the Catalonian club. He gave everything to Barca on and off the pitch. He is one of the most decorated players in the club’s history having helped the Blaugrana claim 30 major honours across his 14-year spell, including eight La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. Only Lionel Messi (35) and Andres Iniesta (32) have won more in Barca's famous colours.
And in terms of appearances, only four players, including his ex-teammate and current coach Xavi have featured more for Barca.
READ MORE:
Pique lived the dream of every boy who grew up in the football-rich city and he always took to the field knowing how much of an honour it was to represent the historic club and its fan base. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will arguably go down as the greatest defender in Barcelona’s history.
Nicknamed ‘Piquebauer’ after iconic defender Franz Beckenbauer, few players ever played to the same levels as the German in the heart of defence as effectively as Pique did. He was tenacious, resilient and a real leader.
He has told the supporters that they will see him sooner rather than later, so his leadership skills have perfectly set him up to become Barcelona’s president in the future, especially given how mismanaged the club has been under Joan Laporta, who has managed to pull more levers than a train driver to increase revenue.
After four years of winning trophies in English football with Manchester United, Pique returned to the club that had his heart in 2008 when Pep Guardiola joined as manager and his qualities were perfect for his compatriot to build one of the greatest teams to ever grace the beautiful game.
His quality on the ball was perfect for Guardiola’s Camp Nou revolution and he forged a majestic defensive partnership with Carles Puyol. Pique was the beating heart of that back line which featured Dani Alves on the right and Eric Abidal on the left.
Pique rarely put a foot wrong in a Barca shirt and for all his contributions on the football side, he was just as much of a leader away from the pitch. We are all well aware of the financial problems the club have been having in recent years and the issues players have had in receiving wages they were contractually owed. As one of the figureheads of the dressing room, Pique was one of the first players to lower his salary to help Barcelona out, which epitomised the character he is. Despite everything he has done for the club and the legacy he leaves behind, Barca have been trying to usher him out to get him off the wage bill.
Anyone else would be furious, but not Pique. He has decided to go gladly to help his beloved team and has reportedly saved them £44 million. His playing career might have come to an end but this won’t be his final chapter at Barcelona.
It has already been mentioned that his qualities as a leader on the pitch would suit him as Barca’s president later down the line. But Pique has also demonstrated his talent in business. He took over tennis' Davis Cup and instilled a new lease of life into the event, and also bought Andorra, who are currently ninth in the Segunda Division. The veteran also laid the groundwork for Barcelona’s £44 million-a-year shirt sponsorship with Rakuten.
His love for Barca and his ingenuity would make it easy for him to slot into a leadership role at Camp Nou once his career has ended. And when he takes to that hallowed turf for one final time this weekend, supporters are sure to see a mental montage of just what he has given to Barca. Nobody deserves the inevitable grand farewell more than Gerard Pique.
