Gerard Pique has called it quit with International football with Spain, saying the Russia 2018 World Cup was his last for the National team.
The 31-year-old Barcelona central defender said he was tired of been criticized and called names by Spanish fans who feel he should not have a say or opinion on National issues, especially when they affect him directly…
Pique who is a Catalonia got to the wrong side of the fans when he openly supported the call for a referendum for the independence of Catalan from Madrid Spain, and ever since, the fans do not want him in the National team playing for Spain again. Though the FA weighed in, and he managed to continue his football, but on Sunday after much thought and probably his age, he decided to leave the National team.
The 31-year-old said on Saturday that he had told new Spain coach Luis Enrique that the World Cup was his last tournament with “La Roja”.
Pique said:
“I have had a really good time, with the European Championship and a world cup, but that story is at an end. I have told this to Luis Enrique”
“It would make sense to leave it after the world cup”. He said.
“It has been a wonderful time and I have experienced amazing things, but sometimes that have to end cycles and you have to do that in the right fashion”
“the decision had already been made a long time ago and it was well thought out”.
The central defender made his international debut in a friendly in 2009 and played 102 caps with Spain winning 73 of them. He also scored five goals and has won the Euro cup in 2012 and the world cup in South Africa in 2010.
He joins Andres Iniesta who also announced his retirement after the Russia world cup.