The wonderful career of Gerard Pique came to an end this evening (Saturday), when the legendary brakeman of Barcelona started his retirement game, played 83 minutes in a 0:2 against Almeria and then went down to the bench, to loud applause from all the Camp Nou residents.
Fika hugged each of the players, while he and some of them shed a tear.
He then shared a hug with Xavi and the bench, before returning to the pitch a few minutes after the final whistle to address the excited crowd.
"Thank you very much to everyone," Pika said through tears.
"In life, when you grow up, you realize that sometimes, to love is to let go. I am convinced that I will be here again in the future. I love Barcelona so much, that we had to give each other a little spice. This is not a farewell."
The veteran stopper added: "I already left the team at the age of 17. My grandfather registered me in this club the day I was born. This is where I was born and this is where I will die."
Barcelona players waved him in the air (Photo: Reuters)
Pika tears up in her farewell speech (Photo: GettyImages, Alex Caparros)
Sergio Busquets, who collaborated with Pique for many years and is now the last remnant of that great team of Pep Guardiola, said: "Pique leaves an amazing legacy. He is one of those who made Barcelona the best team in the world. He left on his way to help the club and he is an example Why does a footballer need to be a Barcelona player."
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Pique is considered one of the greatest stoppers in the history of Barcelona and Spanish football in general.
The player who grew up in Barcelona returned to it in the summer of 2008 after short episodes in Zaragoza and Manchester United, and immediately became an integral part of one of the greatest teams in the history of world football.
Lafique made 615 appearances in the Barcelona uniform, in which he scored 53 goals.
With the team, he won eight Spanish championships, seven Spanish Cups, three European Cups, six times in the Spanish Supercup and three times in the European Supercup and the Club World Cup.
In addition, he also has one win in the English Championship, the FA Cup and the Champions League as a bench player for Manchester United.
Pique was also a part of the golden age of the Spanish national team.
Although he did not take part in winning Euro 2008, he was a regular player in the World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, in which La Ruha also lifted the trophy.
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Gerard Pique
