Barcelona coach Xavi feels Gerard Pique’s farewell fitting send-off in his final home game as a professional footballer on Saturday. Whether the defender will start against Almeria remains to be seen: Xavi refused to confirm this during his press conference on Friday afternoon. “We’ll see tomorrow,” added the coach, who also has Piqué on the bench against Osasuna.
On Thursday, Pique startled both friends and foes by abruptly announcing his retirement. In a social media video, he stated that the home game against Almera would be his last in a Barcelona shirt. The 35-year-old defender was no longer a starter this season and is now making way in the lineup for a replacement. Athletic Club’s Iñigo Martnez is a strong candidate for that position.
Gerard Pique’s farewell: The manager reacts
“I understand the conditions that caused Gerard to make this decision,” Xavi explained. “He plays less, feels less helpful, and hence wishes to retire. Gerard still had a contract and could have opted to be compensated, but this demonstrates his excellence. He is a club legend who deserves to be honoured in this manner.”
In June, Xavi assured Pique that the defender would be less involved. “That was a difficult conversation,” the coach reflected on his conversation with his former teammate. “It’s happened to all of us, and it’s difficult to accept that you’re no longer as significant as you once were. I am aware that I played a significant role in his choice to retire, but I behaved in the best interests of the club. I have to do what is best for the team. And I have frequently felt this season that someone other than Gerard should play. So, I wrote that one as well.”
If the defender does make an appearance this weekend, it would be his 667th club game. 397th La Liga game and 616th appearance for Barcelona.
