Barcelona in a dilemma after Lionel Messi’s exit from the club and now its Gerard Pique who indicated that this could be his last seasons at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona could be in the market next summer for a top quality central defender to replace the Spanish international next summer after the player indicated that this season could be his last at the Camp Nou.
The 34-year-old started his professional football career with Manchester United in 2004 from La Masia academy. He scored 2 goals in 12 matches for United, he was then loaned to Real Zaragoza in 2006-2007 season. The Spaniard failed to nail down a regular spot in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team after his loan spell, He returned to the Catalan capital four years later in 2008 and has now made his name in the Barcelona’s history.
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Former Manchester United defender made it clear that he will be hanging up his boots when he bids farewell to his boyhood club and has no plans to join another club.
The Spainish international has made 568 appearances for the catalan club, winning eight La Liga trophies, three Champions League trophies and numerous domestic cups.
Gerard Pique has been the most dependable and a key player under Ronald Koeman, the players who has had a good relationship with the club and manager recently stated that he could end his football career in 2022 after 13 seasons with his home-town club.
“I will retire at Barca,” Pique told La Sotana.
“This could be the last season, yes. I go year after year, so I cannot guarantee that I will be there next season. The day I feel that I can’t help Barca anymore, I will retire.”
During his interview, the European Championship and World Cup winner also spoke about the bright future ahead of Barcelona with a number of young players progressing to the first-team through the academy. The likes of Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi and Riqui Puig have impressed in recent seasons and are most likely to carry the flag of the club higher for a number of years to come.
The former Manchester United man also backed fellow central defender Samuel Umtiti. The Frenchman has come under lots of criticism from the fans for refusing to accept a move away from the club last summer.
“Umtiti is fulfilling the contract with all obligations. People have to be empathetic. The attitude is impeccable. He has never missed a training session. Another thing is who signed his contract, a president who was voted by the partners.”
