World, European and Spanish champion Gerard Piqué, who announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 35, was one of the best defenders of his generation, and much more: a man of business savvy, a supporter of Catalan independence and the husband of Shakira from whom he separated after more than ten years of living together.
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Since birth, Pique has known nothing but success.
Because unlike many footballers who have come out of the galley, he was born into a wealthy environment, on February 2, 1987 in Barcelona, from a neurosurgeon mother and a lawyer and writer father in his spare time.
He grew up as a footballer at La Masia, the training center of the great Barça, at the same time as Lionel Messi, of whom he is the antithesis, the Argentinian being as silent as he is a boaster.
At 17, the great central defender (1.94 m, 85 kilos) went into exile in Manchester United, where he played little.
The Red Devils resell it to FC Barcelona in 2008 for the modest sum of 5 million euros.
His sporting life then accelerated.
Quickly starting alongside Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Messi, Pique became a pillar of the "
Blaugranas
", who reached the heights of football.
Incredible track record
In the thirteen seasons that followed, the club-king of Catalonia was crowned champion of Spain eight times.
He also won three C1 and as many Club World Cups, six Spanish Super Cups, etc.
Pique and his colleagues from Barça form the backbone of the Spanish selection that they lead to victory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro-2012.
Already crowned at Euro-2008, in which Pique did not participate, the "
Roja
" then signed a fabulous hat-trick.
I would like people to talk about me only from a sporting angle, but I feel like it's inevitable in the end.
I believe that the other (the people) is much more salesman
Gerard Pique
In South Africa, the Colombian star Shakira sings her success
Waka Waka
at the closing ceremony of the World Cup.
She and Pique have been exchanging messages for a few weeks already.
Their couple will delight the paparazzi.
They will have two children, born in 2013 and 2015, before announcing their separation in June 2022.
Piqué and singer Shakira in 2015. JOSEP LAGO / AFP
"
I would like people to talk about me only from a sporting angle, but I feel like it's inevitable in the end.
I believe that the other (the people) is much more seller
, “he said then.
In fact, the status of Pique changes.
From recognized sportsman, he becomes eminently media.
His companion allows him to meet the greats of this world.
The footballer then puts on his second hat, that of a successful entrepreneur.
In 2011, this video game lover founded his own online game development company, Kerad Games.
In 2015, he allowed FC Barcelona to obtain one of its biggest advertising contracts: Piqué and Shakira organized a dinner where the club's leaders met the management of the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, which later became following the new main sponsor of Barça for at least 55 M EUR per season.
Future president of Barça?
Owner of a restaurant in Barcelona and of a football club in the principality of Andorra, Piqué invests in organic meat, energy drinks, glasses at low prices.
He, who took advantage of a summer off-season to follow a master's degree at the American University of Harvard, achieved his brilliance in tennis.
His Kosmos investment fund acquired the venerable Davis Cup in 2018 in exchange for 2.5 billion euros over 25 years.
Gerard Pique, successful businessman.
Panoramic
The footballer, despite his success, is not loved by everyone.
His sympathies in favor of the "
right to decide
" of Catalonia, a rich region in the north-east of Spain which tried to secede in 2017, earned him whistles and insults in the rest of Spain.
Having had trouble with the Spanish courts, he was ordered to reimburse 2.1 million euros to the tax authorities for fraud on his image rights before seeing this conviction finally canceled at the end of 2021.
In August 2018, tired of criticism, he ended his international career.
Four years later, he is about to complete his club career.
But Pique sees a future in football, at Barça of course.
"
The next step is to become president
", launches in 2016 the one whose grandfather was vice-president of FC Barcelona.
“
Coach, I can't imagine it.
I wouldn't enjoy it.
»
In his video released Thursday, in which he announced that Saturday's game against Almeria for the 13th day of the Spanish championship will be his last, he said: “
Sooner or later, I will be back.
»
“
Gerard Pique can become whatever he wants at Barça
,” agrees his former coach, Luis Enrique.
“
Firstly because he is very + culé + (supporter of the club, editor’s note) and then because he is someone very prepared for that.
»
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