A long and successful career ends with a win - and a lot of emotions. Gerard Piqué is allowed to play as captain when he leaves FC Barcelona. With standing ovations, hugs and lots of tears, the 35-year-old leaves him shortly before the final whistle.
To say goodbye to club icon Gerard Piqué, FC Barcelona has at least temporarily taken the lead in the Spanish football championship again. The Catalans won against UD Almeria 2-0 (0-0). Champions League winners Real Madrid can return to first place with a win at Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
The focus of the game, however, was piqué. Most recently, Piqué had had significantly less playing time in the Catalan jersey than in his heyday, but the full-back ran as captain when he was absent. The 35-year-old was then substituted in the 84th minute. To the applause of the spectators, who rose from their seats, the former world and European champion left the pitch with tears in his eyes and hugged his teammates.
The game was far less emotional up to that point. Robert Lewandowski had kicked a penalty kick against the post early on (7'), later Ousmane Dembélé (48') and Frenkie de Jong (62') still scored to win.
Piqué surprisingly announced last Thursday that the game against Almeria would be the last of his career. "I've always said there will be no other team after Barça. And there will be," said the centre-back. "I will be a normal fan. I will support the team. I will pass the love for Barça on to my children. Just like my parents did to me."
Piqué was born in Barcelona and trained as a footballer with FC Barcelona. After stints at Manchester United and Real Zaragoza, he returned to Barça in 2008 and has since won the Champions League three times and the Spanish championship eight times with the club. In 14 years he completed more than 600 professional games.
He was world and European champion with Spain, and he played his last of 102 international matches (5 goals) at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Piqué left it open how things will continue for him after his active career. He just said: "You know me. Sooner or later I'll be back. See you at Camp Nou."
