Since Gerard Pique announced on Thursday that he would be retiring from football after this weekend’s La Liga game week, thousands of tributes have poured in from both former teammates, fellow players, managers and fans.
Pep Guardiola has been the latest manger to heap praise on Pique and his outstanding career.
“I wish him the best personally, and my affection to him. A player for the big games. He’d never miss one, or perform badly at the highest level against the top, top teams. That is what all the big clubs need: these types of players. He won everything, with Barcelona, the Spanish national team…And yeah, it was an honor, for me, personally, to be his manager. We spent an incredible four years together.”
It was an honor, for me, personally, to be his manager. We spent an incredible four years together.
Guardiola managed Pique for four years at Barcelona which was one of the most successful and decorated periods in the club’s history. In 2009, the team wrote themselves into the annals of football history forever: the Catalan giants won an unprecedented six trophies– all the possible titles they could have won.
Pique played a total of 615 games for Barca, scoring 52 goals. In that time, he won eight LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues during his 14-year spell.
Pique also won 102 caps for Spain and was a key part of the side that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the UEFA European Championship in 2012.