Gerard Piqué has announced his retirement. He currently plays for Barcelona, and the Spanish national team. In the midst of a divorce process with Shakira, and bureaucratic issues at the club, the athlete made the decision that shocked the football world. According to a Spanish newspaper, last Saturday’s game (5) was his farewell to the Catalan club.
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The announcement came after 25 years at the club. He played 615 games in the starting lineup for Barcelona, and has been a partner there since birth. Piqué published an emotional video on his social networks. To explain himself and say goodbye to the fans, the athlete contextualized when he joined the club, and all the good times he lived there. “Football gave me everything, Barça gave me everything,” he said.
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The 35-year-old player told the public that he will now join the crowd and be in the stands encouraging his favorite team. Furthermore, he stated that he intends to perpetuate the legacy through his two children, Milan and Sasha. The club’s board had already mentioned contracts such as Piqué’s. According to them, this model of keeping veterans, captains, would cost Barcelona dearly. The player had intentions to fight for his place on the team. However, this did not happen. In the end, the player’s departure was not so surprising given the situation that was happening at the club in recent times.