Pique Receives Emotional Standing Ovation As He Exit Nou Camp
In his farewell Nou Camp appearance for Barcelona, Gerard Pique received an emotional standing ovation as they defeated Almeria 2-0 in La Liga.
When he was removed from the game in the 84th minute, he sobbed as he hugged his teammates, coach Xavi, and the entire Barca bench.
After Tuesday’s trip to Osasuna, the 35-year-old will retire, albeit it’s uncertain whether he’ll take the field.
He delivered a speech on the field following the game in which he declared, “I was born here and I will die here.”
“As you get older, you realize that sometimes to love is to let go,” he continued. I’m certain I’ll return to this location in the future.
“I cherish Barca. I believe that is why now is the appropriate time to leave. This is not a farewell.”
Several people paid him tribute on his final night at the Nou Camp.
All of Pique’s squad members were wearing shirts with his name and the number three on the back as he entered the field as captain, accompanied by his two sons.
A large banner on the field read “Sempr3” (For3ver), and a video honoring Pique’s career was shown to the crowd on a large screen.
Barcelona’s supporters chanted for Pique to take the penalty when they won a first-half penalty. Robert Lewandowski, who stepped up and struck the post, was the one the Spaniard was pointing towards.
Pique, who led Barcelona with 53 goals, had two attempts blocked by Fernando Martinez. He also headed one over the bar.
With goals in the second half from Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona topped La Liga.
Pique was thrown into the air by his teammates when he returned to the field after the game’s conclusion to applaud the spectators.
Despite having 18 months left on his contract, the former Spain defender made his choice on Thursday, and his departure will lower Barcelona’s wage costs.
Pique joined Barcelona in 2008 from Manchester United and played in 616 games while contributing 30 titles to the team.
According to reports, Barcelona put pressure on Pique to leave in order to solve their financial problems. Even though he only played 10 times this season, he was their fifth-choice center defender.
Pique owns the Spanish second division team FC Andorra in addition to his other commercial ventures.
Pique played the fifth-most games of any Barcelona player, behind current Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets (694) and manager Xavi Hernandez (767), both of whom were teammates at one point or another (674).
Pique has more trophies for Barcelona than only Messi (35) and Iniesta (32).
Pique also played a role in Spain’s victories at the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros. Only 13 players have made 100 appearances for La Roja, and he is one of them with 102 caps before his international retirement in 2018.
He played 23 times and spent time on loan with Real Zaragoza when he began his senior career at Manchester United.
After leaving Barca’s youth program four years prior, he made 13 first-team appearances in the 2007–08 season as United won the Community Shield, Premier League, and Champions League.
A winning finale for the great @3gerardpique. Hard to imagine a @FCBarcelona team without him. What a career. What a player. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/jvMOIxajL6
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 5, 2022
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football journalist, stated on the BBC Euro Leagues program: “He triumphed in every contest. For the young man who aspired to be a major figure in Barcelona, his dreams came true, and they have.
“He played a crucial role in each and every one of Pep Guardiola’s victories. Tito Vilanova claimed that if Pique hadn’t been present, things wouldn’t have worked out for that team.
“He is a winner, and it all comes down to his personality.
“He is familiar with Barcelona’s past. Most of their main stars have unhappy endings. When Pique and I arrived, there were numerous tales about the money he was costing the team. Before he became a full-fledged evil, he said, “I’ll leave now.”
Pep Guardiola, who oversaw Pique for four years while serving as manager of Barcelona, said: “His ambition of playing for Barca was accomplished.”
“He has a strong personality, excels in big games, and has never missed. These players are necessary for the major clubs. Being his manager was an honor.”
