Pique: I’ll die in Barcelona

Gerard Pique, on Saturday, played his last game at Camp Nou in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Almeria, telling the fans he would die in the city.

The 35-year-old centre-back, who has won 30 trophies with the club, including three Champions League titles and eight La Ligas, will retire from football after Tuesday’s visit to Osasuna.

Pique, who was cheered by fans throughout the game after more than 14 years in Barcelona’s first-team squad, enjoyed a lap of honour at the end of the game and was tossed into the air by his team-mates, as over 92,000 fans stayed in Camp Nou to pay homage to him.

Pique, in an emotional speech to the supporters after the game, said: “Thanks to my teammates, the staff, and everyone who helps us to make everything so easy.

“To the board as well, for these years. When you get older, sometimes loving is letting go.

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“After a relationship of such love and passion, I think it was the moment to leave some space, to give some air. I am sure in the future I will be back here again.

“It’s not a goodbye. I left after 17 years to get some air. My grandfather made me a club member. I was born here and I will die here.”

The defender, who won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros with Spain, shed tears during his speech, and also kicked a ball around on the pitch with his children as fans finally departed.

When he was replaced in the final stages of the game, each of his teammates embraced him on the pitch one by one, as fans chanted his name.

“Gerard leaves a spectacular legacy, he has turned the club into one of the greatest in the world, he has gone out of his way for the club.

“He has made history. He’s an example of what a Barca player is, and what you have to do,” the club’s captain, Sergio Busquets, said.

Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong’s strikes earned Barcelona a victory which put them top of the league, at least until Real Madrid face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Pique’s departure came after a spell in which the defender had been criticised for some of his performances, and had dropped to fifth-choice centre-back.

Fans have praised the Catalan defender for leaving, amid a period of generational change for Barcelona, with president Joan Laporta saying Pique’s departure will also save the club money as they look to reach a contract termination deal.

Other veteran players, including Busquets, who is out of contract at the end of the season, and Jordi Alba, will follow sooner or later.

The Star