615 games, 30 titles and unforgettable moments

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  • The popular defender, European and world champion with Spain, will retire as the third Barça footballer with the most trophies, only behind Messi (35) and Iniesta (32).

On a dull Thursday afternoon, with Barça fans waiting for possible rivals in the sad play-off of the round of 32 of the Europe League to be played in February, jumped the bomb at the Camp Nou. Gerard Piqué, 35, announced his retirement through a video on his networks. The match against Almeria This Saturday will be the last one he will play at the culé stadium in a long career with the Catalan club that can be summed up in two figures: 615 official meetings and 30 titles.

The 2021 King’s Cupachieved before Athletic in Seville (4-0), it was Piqué’s last title with Barça. The defender was key in the semi-final against Sevilla, in which he scored a goal that prevented a bye and forced extra time. So he was still a essential footballer in the team, as he has been, with the exception of the last few months, throughout his career since 2008, when he arrived at the Camp Nou from Man Utd, with which he conquered the Premier and the Champions just the year of his return to Barcelona.

The class of 1987

Barca paid five million euros by the center-back, who entered in 1997 in the lower categories of the club. He started in the fingerling B and went down the steps. In Cadet B, for example, she coincided with Tito vilanova, who would also train him in the first team. He was a prominent member of that magical generation of 1987also made up of Messi and Cesc among others.

The United He noticed his qualities and there he signed his first professional contract. It was also loaned to Saragossa in the 2006-07 season, but his final breakout came on his return to the Camp Nou, becoming one of the best defenders in club historyfollowing in the footsteps of his admired Carles Puyol.

“Thank you for everything, Geri. I’m in shock. It has been very unfair to you, few have defended the Barça shirt like you. I can always say that I played by your side, a privilege. I love you, friend”

Carles Puyol / Former Barça captain

The former captain was one of the first to react after his friend’s announcement. “Thanks for everything, Geri. I’m in shock. it has been very unfair With you, few have defended the Barça shirt as you have. I can always tell that I played by your side, a privilege. I love you, friend,” Puyol wrote in his networks.

Eight leagues, three Champions

The central defender from La Bonanova will leave Barça as the third player in the club’s history with the most titles, after Iniesta (32) and Messi (35). In his thirty trophies with the Catalan team, they stand out eight leagues and three Champions, with many unforgettable memories, especially with the team led by Pep Guardiola.

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One of his best afternoons came on May 2, 2009, when he signed the sixth goal of the historic win at the Bernabéu (2-6). Another iconic image is that of the defender showing the little hand to the stands after the 5-0 on November 29 from 2010 against José Mourinho’s Madrid. Eight years later, he repeated the gesture after the 5-1 achieved by the team from Ernest Valverde sealed with a goal from Arturo Vidal in the 87th minute.

In his 615 official matches with Barça he has scored 52 goals. Only Messi, Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta They have played more games than him in the Barça shirt. With the Spanish selection he did not play in the 2008 European Championship, but he did win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 Euro. troubled times and was booed in some stadiums for his teasing Madrid in full political upheaval. In total he played 102 games with the Red and signed five goals.



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