BARCELONA, Nov 6: Gerard Pique kept his composure until he began to tell the 92,000 crowd how much he loved his boyhood club.
Then, the tears flowed uncontrollably for the 35-year-old Barcelona defender and multi-trophy winner as it sunk in that he would never play for his home fans again.
Pique played his last match at Camp Nou on Saturday, making his 616th appearance for Barcelona in a farewell that was sweetened by a commanding 2-0 win over Almeria that lifted the hosts to the top of the Spanish league.
He was applauded after the first touches he made and when he was substituted late on. He hugged each of his teammates and waved to the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation.
After taking a lap of honour around Europe’s biggest soccer stadium, Pique took up a microphone to say that he plans to return to the club in the future, but not as a player. In the past, he has said that one day he may consider running for club president.
“In life, when you grow up, sometimes to love is to let go,” he said before breaking down.
“There is so much love, so much passion between Barça and me that it was time to give us some space, some air, and I am convinced that in the future I will be back. My grandfather made me a club member the day I was born. I was born here and will die here. Long live Barça forever.”
Pique, a world and European champion with Spain and a three-time Champions League winner with Barcelona, made the unexpected announcement this week that this would be the final home game of his 14-year career with the Catalan club. He said that he would not play for any other team.
After Robert Lewandowski missed an early penalty, Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring against the outclassed Almería in the 48th minute and Frenkie de Jong put the result beyond doubt in the 62nd.
The win lifted Barcelona two points ahead of Real Madrid before it plays at Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Pique scored 52 career goals for Barcelona and shares the record for most Champions League goals scored by a defender on 16, along with former Real Madrid left back Roberto Carlos.
Other results
Osasuna’s Chimy Ávila scored twice to lead Osasuna to a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo and spoil the debut of Carlos Carvalhal in the Portuguese coach’s first match since replacing the fired Eduardo Coudet.
Valladolid beat last-place Elche 2-1, while Getafe drew 0-0 with Cádiz. (AP)
