Expressing gratitude, Gerard Pique, the former Barcelona defender, attributes his longevity in football to his deep affection for the club.
Having retired last season at the age of 37, Pique made a generous gesture by forgoing a substantial part of his salary to support the team’s financial stability.
A product of Barcelona’s academy, Pique initially departed for Manchester United as a young player, only to return to his beloved Barcelona four years later.
He shared that there came a point in his career, around the age of 30, where his allegiance to Barcelona was so strong that he couldn’t envision playing for any other team, underscoring his profound connection to the club.
Reflecting on his final playing years, Pique revealed that the thought of representing a different club wouldn’t have fueled his drive to continue, hinting that he might have retired prematurely in that scenario.
In an interview with BBC 5 Live, Pique disclosed, “There was a moment in my career, around 30, where I couldn’t see myself playing for any other team but Barcelona. Barcelona meant everything to me at that point.”
He added, “If it weren’t for playing at Barcelona, I’m not certain I would have had the motivation to carry on during my last four or five years as a player. I might have chosen to retire,” emphasizing the profound impact of the club on his career.