Gerard Piqué announces that the 2018 World Cup
in Russia would be his final tournament for the Spanish national team.
In a press statement he opened up saying he feels he is not
wanted in the national team.
in Russia would be his final tournament for the Spanish national team.
In a press statement he opened up saying he feels he is not
wanted in the national team.
The Barcelona defender made the
announcement after Spain’s 2-0 win at Albania on Sunday in the European qualifying for the World Cup.
Spain is currently topping the Group G, with only first place giving automatic qualification.
He went ahead to say,
“I always give everything I have on the field, but there are people who think it’s better if I’m not here. After Russia, a stage will have ended
for me.”
The player is often jeered and disliked by many Spaniards mostly because of his pro-Catalonia stance . He recently appeared to show support a pro-independence move by
the Catalan region, upsetting all those who opposed it.
the Catalan region, upsetting all those who opposed it.
During Sunday's match Piqué stirred a social media controversy by
cutting the sleeves off his kit instead of changing into the short sleeves which have the colours of the Spanish flag. He defended himself by saying the long sleeves were bothering him.
Piqué insisted that his decision to retire had already been made way earlier before this latest
controversy. “It’s not a ‘heat of the
moment’ decision, I’ve given a lot of
thought to this, It’s not because of what happened
today, it’s because I always give my best on the field and, but there are
some people who have thanked me,
some don’t think it’s OK for me to be
here.” said the 29-year-old
The defender added that he also wanted to make way for more younger players to takeover. “You
need to give them some space,” he said.
“I’ll be 31, I’ve won everything with the
national team. I’ll try to play my 100th
game with the team, and I want to win
the World Cup again, which is the most
important thing.”
Piqué, has two children with his
long-term partner, the Colombian singer Shakira, helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European
Championship. With Barcelona, he won
six Spanish league titles, as well as three
club World Cups and three Champions Leagues.
long-term partner, the Colombian singer Shakira, helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European
Championship. With Barcelona, he won
six Spanish league titles, as well as three
club World Cups and three Champions Leagues.
