Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué has announced his retirement from football, saying Saturday’s game against Almería will be his last.
The 35-year-old has played for Barcelona for the past 14 years, after returning to the team in 2008 following a tenure with Manchester United. He started his soccer career with the club back in 1997.
He’s won multiple awards over the years but revealed that his last game will come later this month in a heartfelt post on social media.
In a heartfelt video posted on his social media on Thursday, Piqué said “it is the moment to end this stage of my life” after a legendary career at both club and international level.
And now that (this) kid’s dreams have come true, I want to tell you that I’ve decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.”
His final game on Saturday (November 5) finds the team facing off against Almeria.
“Football has given me everything. I have always said that I would not be in any other team after I left Barca, and that is how it will be,” he vowed. “I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barca to my children, like my family did with me. And you know me, sooner or later, I’ll be back.”
The defender played 615 games — including 396 in the Spanish league and 126 in the Champions League — with Barcelona, winning eight La Liga title and the Champions League three times.
Piqué was also a stalwart for the Spanish national team before retiring from international football in 2018.
He earned 102 caps for Spain, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships two years later.
Outside of football, Piqué became the owner of Andorran club, FC Andorra, in 2018.
