Gerard Piqué, a professional soccer player, has revealed that he would be retiring from the game. In a video clip shared on social media, Piqué tells his fans that it is now “time to bring this trip to its conclusion.”
The Barcelona defender, who is 35 years old, posted an emotional video on Instagram on Thursday, before what would turn out to be his last game, which would be played against Almera on Saturday. Piqué, who joined the club’s academy in 1997 and later returned to Barcelona in 2008 after spending time at Manchester United, confirmed in June that he and his longtime girlfriend Shakira had broken up. The announcement was made jointly by both parties.
Piqué may be heard on the video saying, “Over the last several weeks and months, people have been talking about me.” “Up until this point, I have said nothing, but now I want to be the one who is being spoken about,” she stated.
The film started off with more recent footage of the famous soccer player, but it also included vintage recordings of him playing with a ball when he was only a youngster. According to Piqué, he has been a fan of Barcelona ever since he was “born into a football-loving family,” and he has said that his aim wasn’t even to become a professional soccer player; rather, it was to play for Barcelona in particular.
“In recent days, the child has been occupying a lot of my thoughts. if someone had told him that he would play for Barcelona, that he would win every trophy that was available to him, and that he would become both the European and the world champion, then he would have believed it. That he would compete with some of the greatest athletes ever, that he would eventually become one of the team’s captains, and that he would win the championship “It was generous of him. “Football has provided for all of my needs. You, the audience, have been quite kind to me. And now that I’ve reached the point in my life when all of my childhood ambitions have come true, I want you to know that I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time for this trip to come to an end.”
Piqué has disclosed that now is the time for him to “become a normal fan” and pass on the heritage of adoring the club to his children, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, whom he has with Shakira, 45. Piqué’s farewell game at Camp Nou will take place on Saturday.
“You are familiar with me, therefore you know that sooner or later I will come back. Have a good time in Camp Nou. At all times and in perpetuity, Visca Barca, “In conclusion, he said.
According to ESPN, Piqué has won a total of eight LaLiga championships and three Champions League wins throughout his time spent at Barcelona. Before retiring from international soccer in 2018, he was instrumental in Spain’s qualification for the World Cup in 2010 as well as the European Championship in 2012.
CNN said that he participated in a total of 615 games while playing for Barcelona, and in recent years, there have been speculations indicating that he may wish to seek for the position of club president at Barcelona.
In a statement, President Joan Laporta said that Piqué is an integral part of the Barça emblem since he has accomplished everything while playing for the club. “He has more than proved what he wants from Barcelona, and as a result, culers will always look up to him as an idol. 25 years have passed since he was first connected to the club. It has been a privilege to have him represent Barca in this way.”
After first confirming their romance in March 2011, Pique and Shakira made the announcement that they were no longer together at the beginning of June. On the shoot of her music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which served as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the exes first became acquainted with one another.
They announced their decision to end their relationship in a joint statement by saying, “We regret to confirm that we are splitting.” “We ask that you respect our need for privacy at this time for the sake of the safety of our children, who are our first concern. Please accept my thanks in advance for your consideration and respect.”
During their decade together, the pair made intermittent appearances on red carpets, and Shakira often accompanied her husband to his soccer games to cheer him on while also attending with their two children.
The performer said that music has helped her get through “the saddest hours of my life” while speaking with Elle magazine in September. She referred to the time spent mourning the relationship as “the darkest hours of my life.” She said, “I’ve tried to be silent and simply analyze everything that’s happened.” “It’s difficult to speak about it, particularly since I’m still going through it, and because I’m in the public spotlight,” she said. “It’s hard to talk about it.”
“He is the father of my children, regardless of how things came to an end or how Gerard and I feel about one other as former partners in a relationship. Shakira continued by saying, “And I hope and would appreciate it if we were given the space to do that privately. We have a job to do for these two incredible boys, and I have faith that we will figure out what is best for their future, their own dreams in life, and what is a fair solution for everyone involved,” Shakira said. “And I have faith that we will figure out what is best for their future, their own dreams in life, and what is a fair solution for everyone involved.”