This week Gerard Piqué announced that he is ending his football career, in tonight’s meeting with Almería he stepped out onto the pitch of Camp Nou for the last time. Together with his sons, Piqué heard the roughly 92,000 home fans chanting his name.
After six minutes of playing time, he had the chance to crown it with a goal after a hand situation in the Almería penalty area. However, the 35-year-old refused to take the penalty and instead had to watch teammate Robert Lewandowski burn it.
Piqué played 84 minutes before relinquishing the captain’s armband and stepping over the touchline for the last time.
Barcelona won the match 2–0.
Piqué was born in Barcelona and began his career at the club. At an early age, however, he moved to Manchester United, where he had his breakthrough. In 2008 he returned to the club of his heart and there he grew into one of the world’s very best centre-backs. The merit list includes eight La Liga titles, four Champions League victories (one with Manchester United) and both WC and EC gold with the Spanish national team.