'It hurt not being Barca captain in the past'

After negotiating the round of questions, the centre-back began to speak about his contract renewal: "I've always seen this process as natural. Things have always gone very well for me here and I've never considered leaving. I've thought about my children, my family, that they can grow up here, at home".

"I like that we have always competed until the end. I hope this continues until the day I retire. I want to finish here. It is Barca or nothing".

Pique then went on to refer to the Catalan club's captaincy following the departure of skipper Javier Mascherano: "I've always seen myself as captain. It hurt not to be it in the past. Now I see everything differently. I'm a player who makes more noise than usual... I am what I am and will continue to be so. I understand if the dressing room prefers a different type of leader".

In addition, the 30-year-old spoke about his retirement from the Spanish national team: The most normal thing would be to leave the national team after the World Cup in Russia. I am proud to wear the national team shirt, but there are stages in which you want to focus on other things". 

He added: "The national team has given me a lot and I have always tried to return the favour with hard work and sacrifice". 

Pique's new contract will run until 2022 with the Spanish defender already making 425 appearances for 'Los Cules', scoring 37 goals, since joining from Manchester United in 2008. 

 

January 29, 2018